Question

Platelets and red blood cells are components of the blood. A typical platelet and red blood cell have diameters of approximately 2.33×10^−6 m and 0.0000075 m, respectively. Which blood component has a bigger diameter, and approximately by how much?

Answer 1

To determine which blood component has a bigger diameter, we can compare the given diameters of the platelet and the red blood cell.

The diameter of a platelet is given as 2.33×10^−6 m.
The diameter of a red blood cell is given as 0.0000075 m.

To compare the two diameters, we can convert them to standard decimal notation.

2.33×10^−6 m = 0.00000233 m

Comparing the two values, we see that the diameter of the red blood cell (0.0000075 m) is larger than the diameter of the platelet (0.00000233 m).

To determine the difference in diameter, we subtract the diameter of the platelet from the diameter of the red blood cell:

0.0000075 m - 0.00000233 m = 0.00000517 m

Therefore, the red blood cell has a bigger diameter than the platelet by approximately 0.00000517 m.