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Surface Area : Volume

Biology: Cambridge International GCSE Supplement, topic 3.1.3

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

The higher the surface area to volume ratio, the higher the rate of diffusion.

Cube with 2cm sides

Cube with 2cm sides

  • A cube with 2cm sides will have a volume of 8cm3 and a surface area of 24cm2.
  • The surface area to volume ratio will be 3:1.
Cube with 1cm sides

Cube with 1cm sides

  • A cube with 1cm sides will have a volume of 1cm3 and a surface area of 6cm2.
  • The surface area to volume ratio will be 6:1.
Cube with 3cm sides

Cube with 3cm sides

  • A cube with 3cm sides will have a volume of 27 cm3 and a surface area of 54 cm2.
  • The surface area to volume ratio will be 2:1.

Test yourself on Surface Area : Volume

  • How is a root hair cell adapted for absorption of water and nutrients?

  • The surface area of a cell is 4x10-6m2. The volume is 2x10-6m3. What is the surface area to volume ratio of the cell?

  • Surface area and size are important factors in an organism's survival in hot or cold environments. How else are organisms adapted to regulate body temperature?

  • How are alveoli specialised to transfer gases in the lungs?

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