Bioenergetic Cost of a Cell Chart (IMAGE) Indiana University Caption The study found energy consumption grew linearly with cell volume, not exponentially or stepwise, as cells went from simple (e.g. bacteria) to more complex (e.g. ciliates). Credit Michael Lynch Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.