< Back
surface
Definition
A surface is the boundary between two different materials. It is the region where the two materials interact. The properties of a surface can be different from the properties of the bulk materials.
For example, the surface of a liquid may be different from the bulk of the liquid. The surface of the liquid may be more viscous, or sticky, than the bulk of the liquid.
The properties of a surface can be affected by a number of factors, including the type of material, the temperature, and the pressure. The surface of a material can also be changed by physical or chemical processes.
Surfaces play an important role in many phenomena, such as adhesion, friction, and lubrication. They are also important in the study of materials science and engineering.
How can the word be used?
The painting had a glossy surface.
Different forms of the word
Noun: surface.
Adjective: superficial.
Verb: to surface.
Etymology
The word "surface" comes from the Old French word "surface", which is borrowed from the Latin word "superficies", which means "upper face". It was first used in English in the 14th century.
The word "superficial" means "existing or happening on the surface".
The word "to surface" means "to come to the surface".
Question
What is a surface?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Discuss the concept of surface area-to-volume ratio in relation to cell biology. Explain how the surface area-to-volume ratio influences cell size and its impact on cell functions. Provide an example of a cell type and its adaptations based on surface area-to-volume considerations.
Answer:
The surface area-to-volume ratio is a fundamental concept in cell biology that describes the relationship between a cell's outer surface area and its internal volume. As cells grow larger, their volume increases faster than their surface area. This has profound implications for cell size and function.
Smaller cells with higher surface area-to-volume ratios are more efficient at nutrient exchange, waste removal, and communication with their surroundings. For instance, cells like red blood cells, designed for rapid oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange, are small and flat to maximise their surface area-to-volume ratio.
In contrast, larger cells face challenges in efficiently exchanging materials due to their relatively smaller surface area. Consequently, larger cells often have specialised adaptations to overcome these limitations. Neurons, for example, have long, thin projections called dendrites and axons that increase their surface area for transmitting electrical signals.