(a) If you were to magnify a cell 10,000-fold (typical of the magnification achievedusing an electron microscope), how big would it appear? Assume you are viewing a“typical” eukaryotic cell with a cellular diameter of 50 μm.(b) If this cell were a muscle cell (myocyte), how many molecules of actin could ithold? Assume the cell is spherical and no other cellular components are present; actinmolecules are spherical, with a diameter of 3.6 nm. (c) If this were a liver cell (hepatocyte) of the same dimensions, how manymitochondria could it hold? Assume the cell is spherical; no other cellular components arepresent; and the mitochondria are spherical, with a diameter of 1.5 μm
Structure and Composition of Cell Membrane
Despite differences in structure and function, all living cells in multicellular organisms are surrounded by a cell membrane. Just like the outer layer of the skin separates the body from its environment similarly, the cell membrane, also known as 'plasma membrane,' separates the inner content from its exterior environment.
Cell Membrane
The cell membrane is known by different names like plasma membrane or cytoplasmic membrane, or biological membrane. The term "cell membrane" was first introduced by C. Nageli and C. Cramer in the year 1855. Later on, in 1931, the term "plasmalemma" for cell membrane was given by J. Plowe. The cell membrane separates the cell's internal environment from the extracellular space. This separation allows the protection of cells from their environment.
Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes
The cell is defined as the basic structural and functional unit of life. The cell membrane bounds it. It is capable of independent existence.
(a) If you were to magnify a cell 10,000-fold (typical of the magnification achieved
using an electron microscope), how big would it appear? Assume you are viewing a
“typical” eukaryotic cell with a cellular diameter of 50 μm.
(b) If this cell were a muscle cell (myocyte), how many molecules of actin could it
hold? Assume the cell is spherical and no other cellular components are present; actin
molecules are spherical, with a diameter of 3.6 nm.
(c) If this were a liver cell (hepatocyte) of the same dimensions, how many
mitochondria could it hold? Assume the cell is spherical; no other cellular components are
present; and the mitochondria are spherical, with a diameter of 1.5 μm
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