Explain6 marksChallenge
A student investigated the effect of surface area to volume ratio on the rate of diffusion. They prepared agar blocks of different sizes (cubes with side lengths 0.5 cm, 1.0 cm, 2.0 cm and 3.0 cm). Each block was placed into a beaker containing a solution of a blue dye. The time taken for the dye to completely diffuse to the centre of each block was recorded. The results are shown in Table 1.
Table 1
| Cube side length (cm) | Surface area (cm²) | Volume (cm³) | Surface area to volume ratio | Time for complete diffusion (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.125 | 2 | |
| 1.0 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 8 | |
| 2.0 | 24.0 | 8.0 | 32 | |
| 3.0 | 54.0 | 27.0 | 72 |
Explain the relationship between the surface area to volume ratio and the time taken for complete diffusion. Use the data in Table 1 to support your answer. Also, explain why this relationship is important for the survival of cells.