AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -A larger surface area to volume ratio is more efficient than a smaller ratio. This is due to the amount of plasma membrane relative to the volume of the cell. The more plasma membrane available to transport materials in and out of the cell, the more efficient the cell will be in completing its specific functions.

Detailed explanation-2: -A high surface area to volume ratio provides a strong “driving force” to speed up thermodynamic processes that minimize free energy.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gas exchange surfaces tend to have the adaptation a large SA:volume ratio. This is advantageous as it increases the area over which gases and other materials can be transported into and out of the organism, via diffusion and active transport.

Detailed explanation-4: -Therefore, animals with smaller surface area to volume ratios are able to survive in colder climates due to their ability to maintain a stable core body temperature.

Detailed explanation-5: -Membranes and membrane-bound organelles in eukaryotic cells compartmentalize intracellular metabolic processes and specific enzymatic reactions. Internal membranes facilitate cellular processes by minimizing competing interactions and by increasing surface areas where reactions can occur.