๐Ÿ“Square-cube law

  • Surface-area-to-volume ration decreases in larger organisms.

  • Larger cells have less surface area to capture resources from, compared to increased volume. Thatโ€™s why larger cells are aerobic (Oxygen makes ATP synthase more effective, thus providing more energy).

  • Because small animals have higher surface-area-to-volume ratio, they have relatively more surface area for heat dissipation. Thatโ€™s why they usually have higher metabolism rates, higher heart rates. (Mouses have 310-840 bpm heart rate) On the other hand, larger animals have very big volume and too low surface area to dissipate heat. Thatโ€™s why they need very low metabolic rates. (Elephants have 30 bpm heart rate)

  • Larger creatures need stronger bones (than would be proportionally needed)

See also

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