Question

A single microvillus is a rod-like structure that is 1.0 μm in height. it has a hemispherical top approximately 0.1 μm in diameter. calculate the surface area of the cylinder that forms the "sides" of the microvillus rod. use 3.14 for π.

Answer 1

The surface area of the cylinder that forms the "sides" of the microvillus rod is given by the area of the curved surface of a cylinder with diameter (d) = 0.1 μm and height (h) = 1.0 μm.

The curved surface area of a cylinder is given by 2πrh, where r = d / 2 = 0.1 / 2 = 0.05 μm.

Thus, the curved surface area is given by


`2(3.14)(0.05)(1.0) = 3.14 * 10^(-11)\mu m^2`

Therefore, the surface area of the cylinder that forms the "sides" of the microvillus rod is
`3.14 * 10^(-11)\mu m^2`