The overall size that unicellular microbial eukaryotes can achieve is limited by their
A) energy-producing potential.
B) metabolism.
C) mitochondria.
D) surface area-to-volume ratio.
E) chloroplasts.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The overall size that unicellular microbial eukaryotes can achieve is limited by their surface area-to-volume ratio. This is because as a cell increases in size, its surface area-to-volume ratio decreases, which makes it more difficult to exchange nutrients and waste products across the cell membrane. This ultimately limits the maximum size that a unicellular organism can reach. Factors like energy-producing potential, metabolism, mitochondria, and chloroplasts can all impact the functioning of the cell, but they do not necessarily limit its size in the same way as surface area-to-volume ratio.

The Overall Size That Unicellular Microbial Eukaryotes Can Achieve Is