Question

Compared to eukaryotes, bacteria and archaea have ________ surface-to-volume ratios, causing ________ nutrient exchange?

1) higher, more efficient
2) lower, less efficient
3) higher, less efficient
4) lower, more efficient

Answer 1

Bacteria and archaea, being prokaryotic cells, are typically smaller than eukaryotic cells, resulting in a higher surface-to-volume ratio and leading to more efficient nutrient exchange.

Step-by-step explanation:

Compared to eukaryotes, bacteria and archaea have higher surface-to-volume ratios, causing more efficient nutrient exchange. This is because most prokaryotic cells, which include bacteria and archaea, are smaller than eukaryotic cells, leading to a higher surface area relative to their volume.

A higher surface-to-volume ratio facilitates greater efficiency in the exchange of nutrients and waste products between the cell and its environment. Furthermore, this higher ratio is beneficial to bacteria and archaea because it allows for faster growth and quicker adaptation to changing conditions. Understanding the structure and function of prokaryotic cells is crucial for fields like microbiology and environmental biology.