Question

A researcher studying membrane dynamics fuses two small cuboidal cells together which results in a single larger cell.
Which of the following best describes what happens to the cell due to an altered surface area to volume ratio?

• A. The cell will have difficulty taking nutrients into the cell, but will not have difficulty eliminating wastes.
• B. The cell will be able to easily take in and eliminate nutrients and waste materials.
• C. The cell will have difficulty taking in and eliminating nutrients and waste materials.
• D. The cell will be able to readily take in materials, but have difficulty in eliminating waste.

Answer 1

The correct option is C The cell will have difficulty taking in and eliminating nutrients and waste materials.

If two cells are fused to form a larger cell. The alteration in surface area to volume ratio will be observed when the exchange of substances (nutrients and waste material) between the cell and the extracellular matrix does not take place to its optimum, hampering cellular activity

So, the correct answer is 'The cell will have difficulty taking in and eliminating nutrients and waste materials'