Cell structure

Cell functions

Diffusion

Osmosis

Cell division

Mitosis

Meiosis

MYP Biology Cell Division Notes

Why Do Cells Divide Instead of Just Growing Bigger?

The short answer is there are many fundamental problems that arise when cells get too large.

Many of which, get solved with cell division.

Definition

Cell division

The process by which one cell splits into two daughter cells. This is essential for growth, repair, and reproduction.

Exam technique

In the MYP eAssessment of N21, Question 2a, the question checks understanding of why cells divide in organisms.
Credit is awarded for stating valid biological reasons such as growth, repair of damaged tissue, or replacement of worn-out cells.

Larger cells have diffusion problems

Nutrients and oxygen must diffuse from the surface to the center, while waste products must diffuse from the center to the surface.

As cells get bigger, this distance increases.

The center of a large cell would be too far from the surface, making diffusion too slow.

Surface area doesn't keep up with volume

When a cell doubles in width, its surface area increases by 4 times but its volume increases by 8 times.

The cell needs more resources (volume) but has proportionally less membrane (surface area) to get them through.

This is known as the surface area to volume ratio (SA:V)

Definition

Surface area to volume ratio

The relationship between a cell's surface area (outer membrane) and its volume (internal space). As cells get larger, this ratio decreases, creating problems for the cell.

The nucleus can't control a huge cell

The nucleus produces instructions (mRNA) for the whole cell.

In a very large cell, these instructions take too long to reach distant parts.

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(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

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MYP Biology Cell Division Notes

Why Do Cells Divide Instead of Just Growing Bigger?

Larger cells have diffusion problems

Surface area doesn't keep up with volume

The nucleus can't control a huge cell

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Why Do Cells Divide Instead of Just Growing Bigger?

Larger cells have diffusion problems

Surface area doesn't keep up with volume

The nucleus can't control a huge cell

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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Cells7 subtopics

Organisms7 subtopics

Processes10 subtopics

Metabolism4 subtopics

Evolution7 subtopics

Interactions with environment6 subtopics

Interactions between organisms5 subtopics

Human interactions with environments3 subtopics

Biotechnology3 subtopics

MYP Biology Cell Division Notes

Cells7 subtopics

Organisms7 subtopics

Processes10 subtopics

Metabolism4 subtopics

Evolution7 subtopics

Interactions with environment6 subtopics

Interactions between organisms5 subtopics

Human interactions with environments3 subtopics

Biotechnology3 subtopics

Why Do Cells Divide Instead of Just Growing Bigger?

Larger cells have diffusion problems

Surface area doesn't keep up with volume

The nucleus can't control a huge cell

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Why Do Cells Divide Instead of Just Growing Bigger?

Larger cells have diffusion problems

Surface area doesn't keep up with volume

The nucleus can't control a huge cell

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account