Surface area : volume ratio (6)

Question 1

What is the SA:V ratio in larger organisms?

Answer 1

larger the organism, the lower the SA:V ratio

Question 2

What is the SA:V ratio in smaller organisms?

Answer 2

smaller the organism, the higher the SA:V ratio

Question 3

What is a result of having a smaller SA:V ratio?

Answer 3

high metabolic rate

Question 4

How do large organisms adapt to small SA:V ratios?

Answer 4

• increase SA e.g. folding
• larger body parts e.g. elephant ears
• elongating shape
• developing specialised gas exchange surface