Re: in general, do larger cells have advantages over smaller cells?

Joseph:
The answer to your general question is not absolute in any way, so the
answer is: maybe.

There are many issues to consider, the function of the cell, where the cell
is located, what kind of cell is it, and to some extent whether it’s a
“good” cell or “bad” cell and whether you want it to survive.

In the most general terms, eukaryotic cells (5-100+ microns) are bigger and
considered more developed than prokaryotic cells (1-10 microns) that are
considered a bit more evolutionarily prehistoric. Eukaryotes tend to be
able to perform more functions simply because they have more complex
structures.
A good link that I found when researching this topic a little to answer
your question is here: http://www.slic2.wsu.edu:82/hurlbert/micro101/pages/Chap2.html

Larger cells, in general, would require more energy to survive, move, etc.
Again, that might be an advantage depending on what the cell’s function was.
For example, larger cells in the blood system (like white blood cells) are
larger probably because they are charged with removing waste and “bad
things” from your blood whereas red blood cells are smaller, again,
function is key.
A type of lung cancer (small cell lung carcinoma) is classified by whether
it is all small cells or small and large cells and tends to progress faster
than many other lung cancer types, although I must say, this can not
necessarily be attributed to cell size.

Cells of small size and large size serve different functions. For instance,
in the neural connection between the thalamus of the brain and the optic
nerve of the eye, the small ganglia cells only “talk” to small cells and
large ganglia cells only “talk” to large cells. This is thought to be due
to the type and speed of information they process…. the small cells work
together to pick up signals involving details while the larger cells don’t
process as much detail but are sensitive to motion.   http://thalamus.wustl.edu/course/cenvis.html

Fat cells are interesting…. in humans, the larger the fat cell, the more
likely it is to release hormones and other factors that contribute to
diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and
cancer. (http://nutrition.tufts.edu/magazine/2005spring/dna.html) Smaller
fat cells, the energy stores of the cell are more easily accessed. However,
in a hibernating animal for instance, having larger fat cells might
actually be helpful for temperature regulation over time.

So the large and the small of it is that there are many factors involved
and no simple answer. I’d like to also refer you to another MadSci network
question answer here: http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/2005-01/1105558686.Cb.r.html
and hope
that might give you a little different perspective.
I hope I’ve helped.

Keith Anderson
Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston