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Surface area to volume ratio: Edexcel A‑Level Biology B questions

Every Edexcel A-Level Biology B exam question on 4.1 Surface area to volume ratio, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,826 questions

  1. Q6(b)(i)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 6(b)(i): The surface area of each potato cylinder is 17.3 cm2. Determine the surface area to volume ratio of one of these cylinders. Use the formula: Volume = πr2l Give

  2. Q8(a)

    June 2025 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 AS Paper 2, question 8(a): Explain why larger species of animal need specialised gas exchange surfaces. (3)

  3. Q7(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 1

    1 mark4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 1, question 7(b)(ii): Calculate the length from head to tail : mass ratio for the great tit. Give your answer to one decimal place. (1) Answer

  4. Q1(a)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 1(a): As organisms change size their relative dimensions also change. Which of the following statements are true? (1) As organisms become larger 1. the surface area i

  5. Q1(b)

    June 2023 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 2, question 1(b): Explain why larger organisms need a mass transport system but smaller organisms do not. (3)

  6. Q1(b)(i)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 1(b)(i): Calculate the volume of a sphere with a diameter of 7.20 µm. Use the formula V = 4 3 πr3 (2) Answer µm3

  7. Q1(b)(ii)

    June 2022 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 AS Paper 2, question 1(b)(ii): Explain how a red blood cell with the same diameter as this sphere enables it to carry out its functions in transporting gases in the blood. (3)

  8. Q3(b)(ii)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    1 mark4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 3(b)(ii): The cardiac output of a human heart at rest is 5.0 dm3 min−1. Give one reason why the cardiac output of a human heart at rest needs to be greater than the cardi

  9. Q7(c)

    October 2020 · Paper 3

    4 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio9.9 Osmoregulation and temperature regulation
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 Paper 3, question 7(c): Wood mice are small mammals. They cannot maintain their body temperature and will die if left in the trap for a long period of time. Explain why wood mice canno

  10. Q2(c)

    October 2020 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    October 2020 AS Paper 2, question 2(c): The size of an animal can affect gas exchange. As animals increase in size, their (1) A surface area decreases and volume increases B surface area to volume rat

  11. Q8(b)(i)

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    2 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 8(b)(i): Calculate the oxygen consumption of the elephant. Convert your answer into standard form. (2) Answer dm3 kg−1 h−1

  12. Q8(b)(ii)

    June 2019 · Paper 3

    4 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio5.1 Aerobic respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 Paper 3, question 8(b)(ii): Explain the relationship between body mass and oxygen consumption in these mammals. (4)

  13. Q7(a)(i)

    June 2019 · AS Paper 2

    2 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 AS Paper 2, question 7(a)(i): Calculate the surface area in m2 of a sphere with a diameter of 180 mm, using the formula Surface area = 4ʌr2 (2) Answer m2

  14. Q7(a)(ii)

    June 2019 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2019 AS Paper 2, question 7(a)(ii): The volume of this sphere is 3.054 dm3. Calculate the surface area to volume ratio for this sphere. (1) Answer

  15. Q7(a)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 2

    3 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 2, question 7(a): Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of potato chip B. (3) Answer

  16. Q7(b)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 2

    1 mark4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 2, question 7(b): These three chips will absorb water at different rates. Predict the order in which the chips will absorb water, from the lowest rate to the highest rate. (1)

  17. Q7(c)

    June 2018 · AS Paper 2

    6 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2018 AS Paper 2, question 7(c): Devise an investigation to determine the effect of shape on the rate of absorption of water by potato chips. (6)

  18. Q2(d)

    June 2017 · Paper 3

    2 marks4.1 Surface area to volume ratio
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2017 Paper 3, question 2(d): Locusts have a complex gas exchange system because they are multicellular organisms. Explain why single-celled organisms do not have a gas exchange system. (2)
All 18 questions on Surface area to volume ratio, as a list
  1. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q6(b)(i) (3 marks): The surface area of each potato cylinder is 17.3 cm2. Determine the surface area to volume ratio of one of these cylinders. Use the formula: Volume = πr2l Give
  2. June 2025, AS Paper 2, Q8(a) (3 marks): Explain why larger species of animal need specialised gas exchange surfaces. (3)
  3. June 2024, Paper 1, Q7(b)(ii) (1 mark): Calculate the length from head to tail : mass ratio for the great tit. Give your answer to one decimal place. (1) Answer
  4. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q1(a) (1 mark): As organisms change size their relative dimensions also change. Which of the following statements are true? (1) As organisms become larger 1. the surface area i
  5. June 2023, AS Paper 2, Q1(b) (3 marks): Explain why larger organisms need a mass transport system but smaller organisms do not. (3)
  6. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the volume of a sphere with a diameter of 7.20 µm. Use the formula V = 4 3 πr3 (2) Answer µm3
  7. June 2022, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how a red blood cell with the same diameter as this sphere enables it to carry out its functions in transporting gases in the blood. (3)
  8. October 2020, Paper 3, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): The cardiac output of a human heart at rest is 5.0 dm3 min−1. Give one reason why the cardiac output of a human heart at rest needs to be greater than the cardi
  9. October 2020, Paper 3, Q7(c) (4 marks): Wood mice are small mammals. They cannot maintain their body temperature and will die if left in the trap for a long period of time. Explain why wood mice canno
  10. October 2020, AS Paper 2, Q2(c) (1 mark): The size of an animal can affect gas exchange. As animals increase in size, their (1) A surface area decreases and volume increases B surface area to volume rat
  11. June 2019, Paper 3, Q8(b)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the oxygen consumption of the elephant. Convert your answer into standard form. (2) Answer dm3 kg−1 h−1
  12. June 2019, Paper 3, Q8(b)(ii) (4 marks): Explain the relationship between body mass and oxygen consumption in these mammals. (4)
  13. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q7(a)(i) (2 marks): Calculate the surface area in m2 of a sphere with a diameter of 180 mm, using the formula Surface area = 4ʌr2 (2) Answer m2
  14. June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q7(a)(ii) (1 mark): The volume of this sphere is 3.054 dm3. Calculate the surface area to volume ratio for this sphere. (1) Answer
  15. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q7(a) (3 marks): Calculate the surface area to volume ratio of potato chip B. (3) Answer
  16. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q7(b) (1 mark): These three chips will absorb water at different rates. Predict the order in which the chips will absorb water, from the lowest rate to the highest rate. (1)
  17. June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q7(c) (6 marks): Devise an investigation to determine the effect of shape on the rate of absorption of water by potato chips. (6)
  18. June 2017, Paper 3, Q2(d) (2 marks): Locusts have a complex gas exchange system because they are multicellular organisms. Explain why single-celled organisms do not have a gas exchange system. (2)

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