Describe and explain the relationship between surface area to volume ratio of the human body and metabolic rate.

The surface area of a person is estimated using the following formula:

Surface area in m2 = √(height in cm × mass in kg / 3600)

The volume of a person is estimated using the following formula:

Volume in m3 = mass in kg / 1010

Using suitable calculations, deduce which person has the smaller surface area to volume ratio.

Show your working and complete the sentence below.

Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

Person ______________ has the smaller surface area to volume ratio which = ______________

Which is not a possible explanation for the difference in surface area to volume ratio between person A and person B?

Tick (✓) one box.

☐ Person A and person B have different body shapes.

☐ Person A has a higher mass than person B.

☐ Person A is taller than person B.

Name two structural features of the gills of a fish that increase their surface area.

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