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What is a real situation where a high surface area to volume ratio allows an organism to survive?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Lots of things!
In biological terms:
The surface area to volume ratio in living organisms is very important. Nutrients and oxygen need to diffuse through the cell membrane and into the cells. Most cells are no longer than 1mm in diameter because small cells enable nutrients and oxygen to diffuse into the cell quickly and allow waste to diffuse out of the cell quickly. If the cells were any bigger than this then it would take too long for the nutrients and oxygen to diffuse into the cell so the cell would probably not survive. Single celled organisms can survive as they have a large enough surface area to allow all the oxygen and nutrients they need to diffuse through. Larger multi celled organisms need specialist organs to respire such as lungs or gills. For a single-celled organism (or a cell in a multicellular organism's body, for that matter), the surface is a critical interface between the organism/cell and its environment. Exchange of materials often occurs through the process of diffusion. This type of exchange is a passive process, and as a result imposes constraints upon the size of a single-celled organism or cell. Materials must be able to reach all parts of a cell quickly, and when volume is too large relative to surface area, diffusion cannot occur at sufficiently high rates to ensure this.
Large multi-cellular organisms, such as humans, animals etc require exchange surfaces with high SA:V ratios. The lungs are adapted to give a large SA:V ratio for the transfer of gases into and out of the blood stream. The lungs have numerous internal branches (bronchioles) that form alveoli. Alveoli are the location of gaseous exchange.
Physics: Materials with high surface area to volume ratio (e.g., very small diameter, or very porous or otherwise not compact) react at much faster rates than monolithic materials, because more surface is available to react. Examples include grain dust; while grain isn't typically flammable, grain dust is explosive. Finely ground salt dissolves much more quickly than coarse salt.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
One example is the intestinal lining in animals, where the high surface area to volume ratio allows for efficient absorption of nutrients. The numerous folds, villi, and microvilli increase the surface area available for nutrient absorption, enabling the organism to extract essential substances from the food they consume effectively.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoWhile the list is extensive, the first example to come 'to mind' are the Lungs.
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Which term is defined as a behavior or trait of an organism that allows it to survive in its particular environment?
Adaptation is the term defined as a behavior or trait of an organism that allows it to survive in its particular environment. Adaptations can include physical features, behaviors, or physiological processes that help an organism thrive in its surroundings.
What is an organism that has an adaptation that allows it to survive?
Adaptation or adaptive value is any genetically controlled structural, physiological, or behavioral characteristic. This helps an organism survive and reproduce under a given set of environmental conditions.
What term describes a behavior of an organism that allows it to survive in its particular environment?
adaptationadaption
What is auto- heterotrophic Organism?
An auto-heterotrophic organism is an organism that can switch between being autotrophic (producing its own food through photosynthesis) and heterotrophic (obtaining food from external sources) depending on environmental conditions. This flexibility allows the organism to survive in varied or challenging conditions.
Why is it advantageous for an organism to have many smaller cells instead of fewer larger ones?
Having many smaller cells allows for efficient nutrient uptake and waste removal due to a higher surface area-to-volume ratio. It also allows for quicker cell division and repair in case of damage. Additionally, smaller cells provide redundancy in case of injury or stress to ensure the organism's survival.
What does structural behavior mean?
A physical characteristic that allows an organism to survive and reproduce.
Do organism have a different adaptations?
Yes, organisms have different types of adaptations that help them survive and thrive in their specific environments. These adaptations can include physical characteristics, behaviors, or life cycle strategies that increase their chances of survival and reproduction. Different species have evolved unique adaptations over time to suit their specific ecological niches.
When an organism is born one of the two types of traits that allows it to survive until adulthood is what?
Inherited traits and learned behaviors help organisms survive until adulthood. Inherited traits are passed down from parents and determine characteristics like color, shape, and basic instincts. Learned behaviors are acquired through experience and observation, helping an organism adapt to its environment and challenges.
How does adaptations work?
Adaptations are changes in an organism's physical or behavioral characteristics that help it survive and reproduce in its environment. These changes can be gradual over many generations through natural selection, allowing individuals with beneficial traits to pass them on to their offspring. Adaptations increase an organism's fitness by enhancing its ability to thrive in its specific habitat.
How adaptations works?
Adaptations work by allowing an organism to adjust and change so that they can survive in a changing environment. This allows the organism to live longer.
What is an organism that has an adaptation that allows it to survive?
Adaptation or adaptive value is any genetically controlled structural, physiological, or behavioral characteristic. This helps an organism survive and reproduce under a given set of environmental conditions.
Which term is defined as a behavior or trait of an organism that allows it to survive in its particular environment?
Adaptation is the term defined as a behavior or trait of an organism that allows it to survive in its particular environment. Adaptations can include physical features, behaviors, or physiological processes that help an organism thrive in its surroundings.
The diagram represents a unicellular organism This organism is able to survive without a specialized respiratory system because?
The unicellular organism is able to survive without a specialized respiratory system because it relies on simple diffusion of gases across its cell membrane for gas exchange. Its small size allows for rapid exchange of gases, ensuring the transport of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide. Additionally, the organism's low metabolic rate allows it to meet its respiratory needs without the need for specialized respiratory structures.
What term describes a behavior of an organism that allows it to survive in its particular environment?
adaptationadaption
What is a mutation that helps an organism to live and survive in its environment?
One example of a mutation that helps an organism live and survive in its environment is the development of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. This mutation allows bacteria to survive exposure to antibiotics and multiply, leading to the continued existence of the resistant bacterial strain.
How does an adaptation help an organism survive?
An adaptation helps an organism survive by increasing its chances of survival and reproduction in its environment. It allows the organism to better withstand challenges such as predators, competition for resources, and changing environmental conditions. Over time, adaptations can become characteristic of a species through natural selection.
What is the definition adaptation?
An inherited characteristic that allows an organism to survive in a particular environmentAn adaptation is a positive characteristic of an organismthat has been favoured by natural selection
