A molecular biologist measures the mass of cofactor A in an average yeast cell. The mass is 98.35pg. What is the total mass in micrograms of cofactor A in a yeast colony containing 10^5 cells?

Answer 1

This is a problem of conversions. We will use appropriate conversion factors, along with dimensional analysis, to arrive at the answer.

1x10¹² pg = 1 g

1x10⁶ ug = 1 g

98.35 pg / cell x 1 g / 1x10¹² pg x 1x10⁶ ug / g x 1x10⁵ cells = 9.835 ug

Looking at individual conversions:

98.35 pg / cell x 1 g / 1x10¹² pg = 9.835x10^-11 g / cell

9.835x10^-11 g / cell x 1x10⁶ ug / g = 9.835x10^-5 ug / cell

9.835x10^-5 ug / cell x 1x10⁵ cells = 9.835 ug