i found this in my bio book. i hope this is what your asking for...
purpose
to use a model to investigate the effect of
size on sa/v ratio
shape on sa/v ration
sa/v ratio on the rate of diffusion into an object
requirements
agar-phenolphthalein- sodium hydroxide jelly. 4cm thick. cut into cubes. of 3 sizes (sides, 3cm, 2cm, 1cm)
0.1m hcl acid
ruler, blade
paper towel, 250ml beaker, plastic spoon
procedure a effect of sixe on sa/v ratio
take the 3 agar cubes
for each cube calculate suface area:
surface area of 1 side = length (squared) (use cm2 as unit)
total surface area = 6 x length2
calculate volume:
volume = length3 (cubed)
calculate sa/v ratio:
sa/v = cm2/cm3
conclusion: as the cube size decreases the sa/v ratio increases
procedure b effect of shape
(we were given a table with various shapes on it, and had to work out the sa/v ratio)
conclusion: spheres have lower sa/v ratios, flat objects have a higher sa/v ratio
procedure c rate of diffusion
place 3 cubes in a beaker
cover in hcl acid
turn the cubes over every 2 mins with plastic spoon
remove from acid quickly blot dry with paper towel cut each cube in 2 and measure the depth of penetration of the acid in each cube
conclusion: the acid diffused into the smallest cube
overall statement about the significance of sa/v ratio for cell function:
the greater the sa/v ratio the faster diffusion can occur, cells are small often flatish with many internal membranes this maximises their sa/v ratio and thus maximises diffusion
---> i hope at least some or all of the above helped in some way