Name: ______________________________________
Bio 158: Life Science – A Human Perspective
Cell Size Exercise
A biologist is investigating cells of two different species.
The first cell he called alpha. Alpha is approximately the shape of a cube and is 2 micrometers
on each side (i.e. length = 2 micrometers, width = 2 micrometers, height = 2 micrometers).
The second cell he called Beta. Beta is approximately the shape of a rectangular solid with a
length of 8 micrometers, width of 1 micrometer, and height of 1 micrometer.
1. What is the volume of one Alpha cell?
2. What is the volume of one Beta cell?
3. What is the surface area of one Alpha cell?
4. What is the surface area of one Beta cell?
5. Does one cell have a survival advantage over the other? If so, which one? Explain.
6. Some human nerve cells are 3 feet or more long. Why are these cells able to survive at
such a large size? (HINT: Is there anything you might predict about their
anatomy/structure that might allow them to survive at such a large size?)
