Data Sheet: Cell Size Lab

Answer the following questions to help you understand the results of your cell size
experiment.

Pre-Lab Questions
1. What is cell surface area-to-volume ratio, and why is it important in regards to cell
size?
Cell surface area to volume ratio is Cells need to remain small to ensure efficient
diffusion of what the cell needs to survive.
2. In the lab, what do the potato pieces represent? What does the food coloring
represent?
In the lab the potato pieces represent the cell membrane and the food coloring demonstrates how effectively diffusion
occurs showing results throw coloration of the liquid transported into the cell.

Lab Questions
Data
3. Use the data table below to record your observations of how far the food coloring
penetrated the potato pieces.

Potato Piece

Length (cm)

Width (cm)

Height (cm)

Distance of the
Dye (cm)

1 (small piece)

0.5

2 (medium piece)

0.5

3 (large piece)

0.5

Results
The following table provides the equations you need to determine the results of your
experiment.

Calculation for a Cube

Volume

V = length (L) * width (W) * height (H)

Surface Area

SA = 2(L)(W) + 2(L)(H) + 2(W)(H)

Ratio

Ratio = SA

Calculate the volume, surface area, and surface area-to-volume ratio for each potato
piece. Place your calculations in the table below.

Potato Piece

Volume (cm)

Surface Area (cm)

Surface Area-toVolume

1 (small piece)

2 (medium piece)

24

3 (large piece)

54

4. Which potato piece has the greatest surface area, and which has the greatest
volume?
The third largest potato has the greatest surface area and volume.
5. Which potato piece has the smallest surface area, and which has the smallest
volume?
The first smallest piece of potato has the smallest surface area and volume.

Analysis/Conclusion
6. If each potato piece represents a living cell, and the food coloring is a substance
needed within the cell, what problem might the largest cell have?
The largest cell is going to have a harder time transporting what it needs taking longer
for it to be able to use it.

7. According to your data, which cell was most successful at receiving the needed
nutrient (food coloring) in the allowed time?
The smallest 1st sample demonstrates that the needed liquid would be at the nucleus
already while the others haven't got to the center yet.

8. Describe what type of surface area-to-volume ratio best meets the needs of living
cells. Explain your answer.
Cells with a high surface area to volume ratio is the most efficient of the living cell. This
is because everything the cell needs it will have at its disposal much quicker than a cell
with larger membrane.