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? (1 point)

Question

• A platelet has a bigger diameter than a red blood cell by 9.83 × 10-6 m.
• A red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by 5.17 × 10-6 m.
• A platelet has a bigger diameter than a red blood cell by 5.17 × 10-6 m.
• A red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by 9.83 × 10-6 m.

Answer 1

To compare the diameters of a platelet and a red blood cell, let's first convert them into a consistent notation:

• Diameter of a platelet: \(2.33 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m}\)
• Diameter of a red blood cell: \(0.0000075 , \text{m} = 7.5 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m}\)

Now, let's compare the two:

1. Platelet diameter = \(2.33 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m}\)
2. Red blood cell diameter = \(7.5 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m}\)

Now subtract the diameter of the platelet from the diameter of the red blood cell to find which one is larger and by how much:

\[ 7.5 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} - 2.33 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} = (7.5 - 2.33) \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} = 5.17 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} \]

Thus, the red blood cell is larger than the platelet by approximately \(5.17 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m}\).

Based on this comparison, the correct statement is:

A red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by 5.17 × 10-6 m.