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Cell Size Limitations

Cell Size Limitations. Why are cells so small?. Most cells are between 2 µm and 200µm A micrometer is 1 millionth of a meter! Too small to be seen with naked eye . Why can’t organisms be one big giant cell? . Limits . Diffusion limits cell size

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Cell Size Limitations

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  1. Cell Size Limitations Why are cells so small?

  2. Most cells are between 2µm and 200µm • A micrometer is 1 millionth of a meter! • Too small to be seen with naked eye

  3. Why can’t organisms be one big giant cell?

  4. Limits • Diffusion limits cell size • Movement from higher concentration to lower concentration • Larger the distance, slower the diffusion rate • A cell 20 cm would require months for nutrients to get to the center

  5. DNA limits cell size • larger cells need more DNA. Needs more of everything • Most cells have just one nucleus

  6. Surface area to volume ratio limits size

  7. Volume increase more rapidly than surface area. • Cell size doubles, 8x as much volume, but only 4x as much surface area

  8. So, if too big is a problem, what’s the solution? Cells divide before they become too big • Process of cell division is called mitosis

  9. Why do cells divide? • Replacement • Repair • Growth

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