Surface Area To Volume Ratio - GCSE Biology Definition

The surface area to volume ratio compares the size of an object’s surface area to its volume. In biology, this ratio is important because it affects how efficiently cells or organisms can exchange materials, such as oxygen, nutrients, and waste, with their environment. A higher surface area to volume ratio means more surface area for each unit of volume, allowing faster exchange of substances. This is why smaller cells or organisms often carry out these processes more effectively than larger ones. Understanding this concept helps explain why cells divide as they grow and why certain body shapes are better suited to particular environments.