Why is it ideal for organisms to have a larger surface area to volume ratio? Watch

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AKRYL

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Why is it ideal for organisms to have a larger surface area to volume ratio?

Mayhem™

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Wouldn't a larger surface area allow a greater rate of reaction? (e.g. absorption of energy or diffusion).

Jamdroid

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Diffusion / Photosynthesis, to absorb enough (or more) energy than it needs to survive. Higher volume means more energy is required.

username2151383

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for things like camels it's good bc they can lose a lot of heat through their flabby bits
it's not good for things like polar bears

Christina1999H

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(Original post by AKRYL)
Why is it ideal for organisms to have a larger surface area to volume ratio?

Depends on the organism!
For unicellular organisms, the larger surface area to volume ratio which they have is essential as diffusion and osmosis is the only way nutrients and molecules can enter the cell - which allow the cell to live essentially!

Multicellular organisms tend to have a smaller surface area to volume ratio because they don't depend on active transport, diffusion or osmosis to live as much.

Hope this helps

The Diplomat.

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so they can absorb stuff quicker via diffusion/osmosis etc

AKRYL

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(Original post by The Diplomat.)
so they can absorb stuff quicker via diffusion/osmosis etc

Why is it important to have a high rate of diffusion?

wackojacko98

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It is important to have a high rate of diffusion to match the energy needs of the organism.

username1221160

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(Original post by Christina1999H)
Depends on the organism!
For unicellular organisms, the larger surface area to volume ratio which they have is essential as diffusion and osmosis is the only way nutrients and molecules can enter the cell - which allow the cell to live essentially!

Multicellular organisms tend to have a smaller surface area to volume ratio because they don't depend on active transport, diffusion or osmosis to live as much.

Hope this helps

This. It entirely depends on the organism, otherwise we would all look like flat fish.

There are also other factors, such as thermoregulation, metabolic rate, etc. and the particular environment it is adapted to.

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