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Why are cells spherical instead of cubical if a cube has a larger surface area to volume ratio than a sphere does?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The cells of the body have different sizes, shapes and surface area to volume ratios depending on their function, that is, their structure/function relationships. For example, lung alveolar cells are flat or squamous cells that optimize surface area to volume ratio for gas exchange between blood and the atmosphere; neurons have long tubular axons that increase surface area/volume ratio; cuboidal skin cells of the basal layer are cube shaped and optimally shaped for blood gas and nutrient exchange as well as for their function of adherence and skin replicative function; kidney proximal convoluted tubule cells are cuboid, but extend their membrane surface area for maximal reuptake of blood nutrients by the extension of microvilli on the luminal side of the proximal convoluted tuble. Red blood cells are biconcave discs that, thereby, increase surface area for gas exchange. White blood cells are pretty spherical indicating a requirement for maximizing volume, at the expense of surface area, for antibody production or bacterial destruction etc. . Skeletal muscle cells are long and spindle shaped and often fuse together with other muscle cells in development in order to span the distance across a joint, for example. But you are correct in stating that a cube would have greater surface area to volume ratio than a sphere as a function of length of side or radius (in the case of a sphere).
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
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Why is the sum of the angles of spherical triangles always larger than the sum of the angles of plane triangles?
Because, to allow for the curvature of the spherical surface, each angle must be slightly larger than its plane-surface equivalent.
Why do smaller cells have a greater surface area to volume ratio?
If the cells are spherical, the surface area increases as the square of the radius while the volume increases as the cube of the radius. Therefore, as the cells become larger, their volumes increase much more rapidly than their surface areas. Conversely, as the cells become smaller, their volumes decrease much more rapidly that their areas and so the surface area to volume increase. With non-spherical cells the calculations are much more complex, but the general pattern still applies.
What is the importance of spherical trigonometry in math?
Historically, it is because we live on a planet which is approximately spherical. 2-dimensional trigonometry was adequate for relatively small shapes where the curvature of the earth had negligible effect. For larger shapes the spherical nature of the earth was important and therefore, so was spherical trigonometry.
In spherical geometry the measures of the angles in a triangle add up to 180 degrees?
The sum of angles in a triangle in a spherical geometry is greater than 180° the sum is greater the larger the surface area of the triangle.Example:Think of a triangle on the Earth with one corner at the North Pole, the other corners on the Equator 90° apart (say at 0° [west of Nigeria in Africa] the other at 90° W [West of Ecuador in South America]).Each of these angles is 90° so the sum is 270° - The surface area of the triangle is one eighth of the surface of the globe. But it is a triangle (on a sphere).
What surface area is larger baseball or soccer?
A soccer ball has a larger radius than a baseball, so it has more surface area.
Why is the sum of the angles of spherical triangles always larger than the sum of the angles of plane triangles?
Because, to allow for the curvature of the spherical surface, each angle must be slightly larger than its plane-surface equivalent.
How mechanically a spherical condenser can be formed?
An electric charge cannot be carried in the interior of a hollow container. Due to mutual repulsion, the charges will migrate to the larger external surface.
Why is mercury so small?
The reason any droplet is spherical is due to the surface area to volume ratio. A sphere is the shape with the smallest surface area to volume ratio, as opposed to a square or triangle. Larger ones are affected by the weight and normal forces which exceed the ability of the surface tension to keep the drop in spherical shape. In a zero gravity environment all droplets would be spherical. The minimization of surface area to volume ratio is also the reason rain drops are tear shaped (surface tension counteracted by drag force on the drop).
What is the shape of dense bodies the size of planets or larger?
Approximately "spherical".
What is the shape of dense body is the size of planets or larger?
Approximately "spherical".
Why do smaller cells have a greater surface area to volume ratio?
If the cells are spherical, the surface area increases as the square of the radius while the volume increases as the cube of the radius. Therefore, as the cells become larger, their volumes increase much more rapidly than their surface areas. Conversely, as the cells become smaller, their volumes decrease much more rapidly that their areas and so the surface area to volume increase. With non-spherical cells the calculations are much more complex, but the general pattern still applies.
What is the importance of spherical trigonometry in math?
Historically, it is because we live on a planet which is approximately spherical. 2-dimensional trigonometry was adequate for relatively small shapes where the curvature of the earth had negligible effect. For larger shapes the spherical nature of the earth was important and therefore, so was spherical trigonometry.
What makes a fish appear larger when placed in a spherical fish bowl?
It's the glass that does that
Which has a larger surface area powder or lumps?
A powder has a larger surface area.
How is a globe and the earth the same and how are they different?
A globe is any spherical, or approximately spherical object. It can be as small as a ball or as large as the Sun (or larger). The Earth is one example of a globe.
Why are mars moons and the smaller moons of the outer planets an irregular shape while the larger moons discussed in the exploration are spherical?
Mars' moons are much smaller than, for example, Earth's Moon, or the larger moons of Jupiter. A large moon will have a larger gravity, which will tend to pull the moon together into a spherical shape.
How does surface area affect damping of an oscillation?
The larger the surface area, the larger the damping of an oscillation
