surface area to volume ratio Flashcards
(13 cards)
What does a large surface area to volume ratio provide?
A short diffusion pathway
What is the relationship between the size of an organism and the surface area to volume ratio?
As the size of the organism increases, the surface area to volume ratio decreases
What do larger organisms have to maintain an adequate gas exchange?
Specialised exchange structures such as the lungs and gills
What do organisms have to maintain a constant body temperature?
Changes in body shape or specialised structures have evolved (big ears)
What are the largest land animals?
Elephants
What is an adaptation of elephants?
Large ears
Why do elephants need large ears?
They have a small surface area to volume ratio so they release a lot of heat through respiration, so the ears increase the overall surface area for heat loss
What land animal has a large surface area to volume ratio?
A shrew or mouse
What is a problem for small animals like shrews or mice?
They lose a large amount of heat relative to their mass
What do small animals have to do in order to maintain a constant body temperature?
They respire at a high rate
Do small animals have a high or low uptake of oxygen?
High
What do small animals also have a high uptake of?
Food
What is the relationship between surface area to volume ratio and metabolic rate?
As surface area to volume ratio increases, metabolic rate also increases
