Some Important Principles in Biology
In living organisms, the structure of a particular biological feature is related to what function it performs. Thus for all the structures you will study in Life Sciences, the important questions to ask are stated in this lesson.
Important Principles and Relationships in Biology
Surface area and volume
Depending on the system it is advantageous to either have a large surface to volume ratio or a small surface to volume ratio.
This is highlighted in the following examples:
- Flatworms and leeches have more surface area to volume to increase the area for diffusion for nutrients and respiratory gases across their whole bodies.
- In animals the shapes of organs are defined by surface area to volume requirements. For example, in the lungs there are many branches to increase the surface area through which gases can be exchanged.
- Cells with a greater volume compared to surface area are able to metabolise more and ingest and excrete more through the membrane.
Structure and function
In living organisms, the structure of a particular biological feature is related to what function it performs. Thus for all the structures you will study in biology, the important questions to ask are the following:
- What makes this structure suited to its function?
- How has the structure adapted to its function?
- Why is this structure so efficient for its function?
This lesson is part of:
Introduction to Biology
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