Platelets and red blood cells are components of the blood. A typical platelet and red blood cell have diameters of approximately 2.33×10

Question

−6
m and 0.0000075 m, respectively. Which blood component has a bigger diameter, and approximately by how much? (1 point)

A platelet has a bigger diameter than a red blood cell by 9.83×10
−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 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 determine which blood component has a bigger diameter, we need to compare the diameters of the platelet and the red blood cell:

• Diameter of the platelet = \( 2.33 \times 10^{-6} \) m
• Diameter of the red blood cell = \( 7.5 \times 10^{-6} \) m

Now, we will convert both to the same format for easier comparison. The diameter of the red blood cell is already in standard form, so we maintain that.

Next, to identify which is larger, we compare:

\[ 2.33 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} \quad \text{(platelet)} \] \[ 7.5 \times 10^{-6} , \text{m} \quad \text{(red blood cell)} \]

Since \( 7.5 \times 10^{-6} > 2.33 \times 10^{-6} \), we conclude that the red blood cell has the bigger diameter.

Next, we will calculate the difference in diameters to find out by how much:

Difference = Diameter of red blood cell - Diameter of platelet

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

Calculating the difference:

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

Thus, a red blood cell has a bigger diameter than a platelet by \( 5.17 \times 10^{-6} \) m.

Therefore, the correct option is:

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