All but which of the following factors limit cell size?

Question

choices:

time required for diffusion
elasticity of the plasma membrane
surface area-to-volume ratio
presence of only one nucleus

Answer 1

surface area-to-volume ratio...

Answer 2

All BUT 'Elasticity of the plasma membrane' are factors which limits cell size. The plasma membrane is not elastic, rather it is fluid with some rigidity due to the cytoskeleton.

On the other hand the following DO limit cell size:

Diffusion is a function of time and distance (and temeperature and concentration). Cells require diffusion of essential nutrients and water inward and of byproducts and waste outward.

The time required for diffusion does limit the size of cells. If diffusion was infinitely fast, then the large distances of a big cell would not matter.

Very large cell will have limitations in essential diffusion of nutrients in and byproducts out thereby limiting size

The surface of the cell is important to faciliate the transport of substances in and out. As the size increases surface area (function of radius squared) to volume (fxn of radius cubed) decreases dramatically and limits the exchange of nutrients and byproducts which come across the membrane by faciltated or active transport (since these carriers will become limited relative to cell volume).

A single nucleus may be too far from the more distant parts of a cell which has become too large, and thereby fails to sustain all the protein synthetic (mRNA synthesis in the nucleus) requirements of a very large cell.

Answer 3

I want to say its the presence of only one nucleus, but the elasticity of the plasma membrane is irrelevant because the cell membrane is able to form around anything no matter how much it grows.

Answer 4

I'd say diffusion parameters.

The transport of ions, water, nutrients, etc. to all parts of the cell is necessary for maintaining homeostasis. Without homeostasis the cell will die. If it takes too long for enough critical substrate to be transported, the cell will not survive.

Answer 5

elasticity of the plasma membrane

Answer 6

Let us know when you find out.

Answer 7

#4??

Answer 8

google is ur friend!