Question

A human RBC is approximately 6 µm in diameter. An unknown bacterium measures 1 ocular space using the oil immersion objective compared to 2 minor spaces on the stage micrometer. A) How big is the unknown bacterium (report in micrometers)? B) How does its size compare to the RBC (how many times bigger is one versus the other)?

Answer 1

Answer:

The following is the formula to determine the size from minor spaces and ocular spaces on the stage micrometer:  

Size = Number of minor spaces * 10 micrometer / Number of ocular spaces

A = Number of minor spaces is 2 and the number of ocular space is 1,

Size = 2 * 10 / 1 = 20 micro micrometer. Thus, the size of a bacterium is 20 micrometers.  

B = Thus, it can be said that the size of the bacterium is almost 4 times bigger in comparison to a human red blood cell, which is 6 micrometers in diameter.