Which of the following is a major cause of the size limits for certain types of cells?
A) limitation on the strength and integrity of the plasma membrane as cell size increases
B) the difference in plasma membranes between prokaryotes and eukaryotes
C) evolutionary progression in cell size; more primitive cells have smaller sizes
D) the need for a surface area of sufficient area to support the cell's metabolic needs
E) rigid cell walls that limit cell size expansion

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The need for a surface area of sufficient area to support the cell's metabolic needs is a major cause of the size limits for certain types of cells. As cells increase in size, their volume increases much faster than their surface area, which can lead to problems with nutrient and waste exchange. Therefore, cells must remain relatively small to ensure that they have enough surface area to support their metabolic activities.

Which of the Following Is a Major Cause of the Size