1.

Explain, using the term surface area to volume ratio, why large, active organisms
need a specialised surface for gaseous exchange.
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[Total 2 marks]

2.

A student was studying the surface area to volume ratio of three unicellular organisms,
A, B and C, from the same habitat. The diagram below shows the three organisms and
some of the calculations the student made.
A

surface area / mm2

0.28

3.1

23

volume / mm3

0.02

0.59

11.3

surface area to
volume ratio

14:1

scale:
0.075 mm

2:1

Adapted data M Jones and G Jones, Advanced Biology, 1997, Cambridge University Press

Quintin Kynaston School

(a)

(i)

Calculate the surface area to volume ratio for organism B to the nearest
whole number.
Write your answer in the shaded box in the table.
[1]

(ii)

By how many times does the surface area to volume ratio for organism C
differ from that for organism A?
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[1]

(b)

The student determined the rate of oxygen uptake for the three organisms in cm3
of oxygen g1 h1. The student found that the results were:
1.0 cm3 g1 h1
0.5 cm3 g1 h1
7.0 cm3 g1 h1
State which of the three figures is most likely to be the value for the rate of
oxygen uptake for organism C.
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[1]

(c)

None of the organisms A, B or C has a transport system.

Explain why organisms larger than organism C need to have transport systems.
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[3]
[Total 6 marks]

Quintin Kynaston School

3.

A student was told by a teacher that the surface area to volume ratio (SA:V ratio) of an
organism varies according to its size. The student decided to investigate this using two
spheres, A and B, as models of organisms of different sizes. These are shown in the
table below. The surface area and volume of each sphere were calculated.
sphere A

sphere B

diameter/ cm

surface area/ cm2

3.14

28.27

volume / cm3

0.52

14.14

(a)

(i)

The student calculated the SA:V ratio of sphere B as 2:1. Calculate the
SA:V ratio of sphere A. Show your working.

Answer = ...............................................................
[2]

(ii)

Describe how the SA:V ratio changes as the size of the sphere increases.
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[2]

Quintin Kynaston School

(b)

The teacher also told the student that differences in the SA:V ratio, such as those
seen between sphere A and sphere B, have influenced the need for transport
systems.
Explain how such differences have influenced the need for transport systems in
mammals.
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[3]

(c)

There are several parts of the mammalian body where the surface area is
relatively large to allow effective functioning.
State one example of such a part of the mammalian body.
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[1]
[Total 8 marks]

4.

The diagram below shows a mammal and a unicellular organism. The transport system
in mammals is a double circulatory system driven by a pump (the heart), whilst
unicellular organisms have no need for special transport systems.

(i)

m a m m a l (c a t)

u n ic e llu la r o r g a n is m

X 0 .0 7 5

X 300

Explain what is meant by a double circulatory system.

Quintin Kynaston School

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[2]

(ii)

Explain two reasons why mammals need a circulatory system whilst unicellular
organisms, such as that shown in the diagram, do not.
first reason ......................................................................................................
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second reason ................................................................................................
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[4]
[Total 6 marks]

Quintin Kynaston School

5.

Fig. 1 shows the structure of a single-celled organism called Chlamydomonas which

shares many features with plant cells. Fig. 2 shows a cedar tree. The cells of both
organisms need water to carry out their metabolic functions.

c e ll m e m b r a n e
c e ll w a ll
c h lo r o p la s t
n u c le u s

c y to p la s m

5m
Chlamydomonas
Fig. 1

(a)

(i)

5m
cedar tree
Fig. 2

Chlamydomonas lives in fresh water ponds.

Explain how single-celled organisms like Chlamydomonas obtain water
from their external environment.
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[2]

Quintin Kynaston School

(ii)

Sea water contains a much higher percentage of salts than the fresh water
in which Chlamydomonas lives.
Suggest the changes that would take place in the Chlamydomonas cell if it
were transferred to sea water.
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[2]

(b)

Chlamydomonas has no water transport system whereas the tree shown in Fig. 2
has a well developed system for water transport.
Explain why a large multicellular organism like a tree needs a water transport
system whilst Chlamydomonas does not.
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[3]
[Total 7 marks]

Quintin Kynaston School