Question

The DNA in a human cell weighs approximately 2.0 x 10-12 grams. Calculate how many cells you would need to use to isolate 1 mg (milligram or 1x10-3 grams) of DNA, assuming you can get the entire DNA out of a cell. Show your work.

Answer 1

5.0 × 10^8 cells.

Step-by-step explanation:

Mass of DNA = 2 × 10^-12 g/cell

Mass of DNA to be isolated = 0.001 g

No of cells = 0.001/2 × 10^-12

= 5.0 × 10^8 cells.