A biologist used a scanning electron microscope to measure the surface area and volume of four cells. She then calculated the surface-to-volume ratio of each cell and listed it below. Use the results to answer the question.

Question

A biologist used a scanning electron microscope to measure the surface area and volume of four cells. She then calculated the surface-to-volume ratio of each cell and listed it below. Use the results to answer the question.

Cell A: 1.5

Cell B: 2.0

Cell C: 1.2

Cell D: 1.0

Which cell would be capable of absorbing nutrients at the fastest rate?

Cell A

Cell B

Cell C

Cell D

Answer 1

The cell with the highest surface-to-volume ratio would be capable of absorbing nutrients at the fastest rate. In this case, Cell B has the highest ratio of 2.0, so Cell B would be capable of absorbing nutrients at the fastest rate.