The importance of SA : V

SB8a.5 ratios – Homework 2

1 For each of the following, state why it needs to be taken into the body or removed from it.

a oxygen

b urea

c glucose

2 A grape has a volume of 2 cm3 and

a surface area of 7 cm2. An orange
has a volume of 700 cm3 and a
surface area of 350 cm2.

a Compare the surface area :

volume (SA : V) ratios of the
orange and the grape.

b The diagram on the right shows

an alveolus. You can imagine
the alveoli in the lungs as being
arranged as bunches of grapes,
rather than the lung being one
big orange. Use this idea to
explain why the lung is full of
tiny alveoli.

c There is a net movement of two

gases during gas exchange in
the alveoli. Explain how this
occurs.

d Give one way in which both the capillaries and alveoli are adapted to help this movement.

e Explain why a faster flow of blood in the capillaries increases the rate at which oxygen gets
into the blood.

3 The drawing below shows two cells in the wall of the small intestine. Use ideas about SA : V ratios to
explain the shape of the cells.

Extra challenge
4 a Draw diagrams to show the typical structure of animal and plant cells.

b Explain why plant cells can become much bigger than animal cells.

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