Question

How does surface area to volume ratio limit cell size?

Answer 1

Surface area to volume ratio is the surface area occupied per volume of any cell or any other substances.

Complete answer:
1)As the cells become more massive, it directly affects the ratio of surface area and volume and this ratio becomes smaller because when the size of the cell increases, the increase in volume is comparatively more than the increase in surface area. This increases the denominator, that is volume which then decreases the ratio of surface area to volume.

2)Now here the main point is why the cell size is limited, it is because those cells are dependent on various other substances outside the cell for their nutrition, etc. When the cell becomes larger, it is difficult for the nutrients to reach every part of the cell through diffusion.

3)Cells form the basic structural and functional unit of life, and hence the cell itself must function efficiently, and all the parts inside the cell must be maintained properly, and for maintaining the efficiency, cells must be getting proper nutrients that come from outside the cell, hence the surface area to volume ratio limits the cell size.

Note: Sometimes, in experiments it can be observed that due to the larger volume of the cell compared to the surface area, the surface area to volume ratio decreases, and the cells cannot absorb nutrients properly leading to death or damage of the cells, this can be easily prevented by dividing the big cells into smaller cells.