Why is a large surface area: volume ratio needed for cells to function properly?
A) Adequate surface area (plasma membrane) is needed to furnish nutrients to and expel wastes from the volume (cytoplasm).
B) Smaller volumes reduce and larger surface areas reduce the cell's ability to bring nutrients in and get rid of waste.
C) A smaller surface area allows the cell to increase its metabolic activity by bringing in even more nutrients than larger surface areas.
D) The surface area and volume increase at the rate to ensure cell growth and reproduction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adequate surface area (plasma membrane) is needed to furnish nutrients to and expel wastes from the volume (cytoplasm). A larger surface area to volume ratio increases the efficiency of nutrient exchange and waste removal, allowing the cell to function properly.

Answer: B 
 Smaller volumes reduce and larger surface areas reduce the cell's ability to bring nutrients in and get rid of waste. A large surface area to volume ratio ensures that the cell has enough surface area to effectively transport nutrients and waste across the plasma membrane.

Answer: C and D are incorrect. 
 A smaller surface area would actually decrease the amount of nutrients that the cell can bring in and the waste it can remove, and increasing metabolic activity requires more nutrients, not less. The growth and reproduction of the cell are dependent on proper nutrient exchange and waste removal, not just an increase in surface area and volume.

Why Is a Large Surface Area: Volume Ratio Needed for Cells