BUILDING MODELS TO SHOW THE LIMITS TO CELL SIZE

Why can't cells continue to grow larger and larger to become giant cells? Why are most cells, whether
from an elephant or an earthworm or the leaf of a lettuce, microscopic in size? What happens when a
cell grows larger and what causes it to divide into two smaller cells rather than growing infinitely
larger? This investigation provides a 'hands-on' activity that simulates the changing relationship of
Surface Areas and Volume in a growing cell.

Making Model Cells

Materials

Template for 4 cells Scissors

Glue Sand
Small spoon Weighing balance
Graph paper
Preparation

The Cubic Cell Models have been copied onto coloured card (Fig.1). Cut out the four cell models and
then fold and glue them together. The models represent one cube-shaped cell at increasing stages of
growth. The smallest stage represented is 1 Unit long on a side; the largest stage is 4 Units on a side.
Fill each of the four cells with sand. The sand should be level with the open top of each cell.

Investigation - Comparing Cell Sizes

By analyzing the four sand-filled cubic models, you can find answers to many questions about cell
growth.

1. Try to give the formula for computing the following data about the cell models when the length of
one side equals "s" :

 Area of one face: ...........................................................................................................

 Total surface area of a cell: ...........................................................................................

 Volume of a cell: ...........................................................................................................

 Distance from the centre of cell to centre of each wall:.................................................

2. On the attached graph paper, make a table where the following data can be recorded:
 Cell size (s units)
 Surface area of one face
 Total surface area of cell
 Volume of cell
 Distance from the centre to the edge
 Weight of cell when filled with sand
3. Calculate the data above for each cell and complete the table. The smallest cell has s = 1 unit,
and the largest cell has s = 4 units.

4. Using a balance, find the weight of each sand-filled cell in grams and record this.

5. Now draw another table with four rows (one for each of the four cubic models) and with the
following three columns:
 Cell size in s units
 Surface area : volume ratio
 Surface area : weight (of sand) ratio

6. Anything that the cell takes in, like oxygen and food, or lets out, such as carbon dioxide, must
go through the cell membrane. Which measurement of the cells best represents how much cell
membrane the models have ?

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7. The cell contents, nucleus and cytoplasm, use the oxygen and food while producing the waste.
Which two measurements best represent the cell content ?

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8. As the cell grows larger and gets more cell content, will it need more or less cell membrane to
survive ?

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9. As the cell grows larger, does the Total Surface Area -to- Volume Ratio get larger, smaller, or
remain the same ?

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10. As the cell grows larger, what happens to the Total Surface Area -to- Weight Ratio?

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11. Why can't cells survive when the Total Surface Area -to- Volume ratio becomes too small ?

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12. Which size cell has the greatest Total Surface Area -to- Volume Ratio?

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13. Which size cell has the greatest chance of survival ?

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14. What can cells do to increase their Total Surface Area -to- Volume Ratio ?

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15. How many s = 1 unit cells would fit into an s = 3 unit cell?

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