4. Limits to Cell Size: Why small is better! Surface area of a cell is proportional to the square of its diameter. Volume is proportional to the cube of its diameter. Thus, for any increase in diameter of the cell, the volume increases faster than surface area. E.g. Small Cell of 10 m diameter SA = 10 m x 10 m x 6 = 600 m 2 Vol = 10 m x 10 m x 10 m =1000 2 m --------------------------------------------------------- Large Cell of 20 m diameter SA = 20 m x 20 m x 6 = 2,400 m 2 Vol = 20 m x 20 m x 20 m =8000 2 m -------------------------------------------------------- Note, that the larger cell has 8 times as much cytoplasm needing nourishment and waste removal, but only 4 times as much membrane surface through which wastes and nutrients can be exchanged.