What does surface area have to do wtih cell structure and function?
Surface area often plays a key role in permeability. For instance, when blood is filtered in the kidneys, the filtrate must move through the glomerular capillaries into the Bowman capsule, where it begins to form urine. The surface area of the glomerular capillaries (i.e. cells that make up the wall of the capillary) is important when considering the filtration ability. Signals can be sent to decrease the surface area, thereby reducing filtration, or to increase the surface area, thereby elevating filtration.
