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AP Biology 2.2 Cell Size Questions

Practise AP Biology 2.2 questions by using surface-area-to-volume ratios, cell shape and membrane projections to explain how organisms exchange materials.

Syllabus
Effective Fall 2025
Course
AP Biology

Exam points

  • calculate surface-area-to-volume ratios and compare diffusion or exchange efficiency
  • link folds, projections or cell shape to increased exchange surface in biological contexts
  • use dimensions and surface-area-to-volume data to evaluate metabolic, storage or transport adaptations

Covered syllabus points

2.2.A—Explain the effect of surface area-to-volume ratios on the exchange of materials between cells or organisms and…

Question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

Students were using the formulas for the surface area and volume of a rectangular solid to model cells of different sizes and shapes. They produced the data shown in the table.

Table for Question 1 — AP Biology

Question (a)

(a)

Identify the rectangular solid that represents the cell with the smallest amount of plasma membrane per volume of cytoplasm.

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Question (b)

(b)

Describe the relationship between the dimensions of the rectangular solids and their surface area-to-volume ratios.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Using the data from the model, evaluate the hypothesis that cells shaped like rectangular solids 1 and 2 are better suited for slow metabolism and the long-term storage of energy-containing molecules than are cells shaped like rectangular solids 4 and 5.

[ 1 ]

Question (d)

(d)

Based on the trends shown in the data, explain why some rectangular cells include folds or projections in their plasma membranes.

PAGE FOR ANSWERING QUESTION 6

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