Chapter 1, Problem 1.FCP

Some scientists think there are living things smaller than bacteria (New York Times, January 18, 2000, p. D1). Called “nanobes,” they are roughly cylindrical and range from 20 to 150 nm long and about 10 nm in diameter. One approach to determining whether nanobes are living is to estimate how many atoms and molecules could make up a nanobe. If the number is too small, then there would not be enough DNA, protein, and other biological molecules to carry out life processes. To test this method, estimate an upper limit for the number of atoms that could be in a nanobe. (Use a small atom, such as hydrogen.) Also estimate how many protein molecules could fit inside a nanobe. Do your estimates rule out the possibility that a nanobe could be living? Explain why or why not.