Blute Blog

I have made reference to this in connection with density-dependence in various talks and papers but usually do not burden the audience with the math, even though it is simple. But I have been asked about it from time to time so here it is from the original source in my book.

“The surface area of a sphere = 4π r² while the volume = 4/3π r³. Hence the ratio of A/V = 3/r so that as a sphere becomes smaller (r approaches 0), the surface to volume ratio approaches ∞ and as it becomes larger (r approaches ∞) the surface to volume ratio approaches 0. Hence small organisms have a proportionately greater surface area for their volume (and at constant cytoplasmic densities, for their mass) than do large ones – surface area which can be utilized for feeding, sensing food etc. Conversely, large organisms have a proportionately greater volume (and at constant cytoplasmic densities, greater mass) for their surface area than do small ones – volume and mass that can be employed for complex internal digestive processes.” (Blute, 2010: 58).

Similar principles apply socioculturally. So for example, the members or staff of small organizations necessarily interact more with those externally, while those of large organizations necessarily interact more with those internally.

Blute, M. (2010) Darwinian Sociocultural Evolution: Solutions to Dilemmas in Cultural and Social Theory. Cambridge University Press