Suppose a culture containing 2*108 bacteria was exposed to ionizing radiation sufficient to kill 99.99% of the cells. calculate the number of bacteria you expect to survive this treatment.

Question

Carolina Cannon

Biology

23 December, 02:10

Suppose a culture containing 2*108 bacteria was exposed to ionizing radiation sufficient to kill 99.99% of the cells. calculate the number of bacteria you expect to survive this treatment.

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Natalya Leach · Answer 1

The culture contains 2*10^8 bacteria before it was exposed to ionizing radiation which kills 99.99% of the bacteria. The number of bacteria left after the radiation would be:

final number = initial number * (100% - radiation kill rate)

final number = 2*10^8 * (100%-99.99%)

final number = 2*10^8 * (0.01%)

final number = 2*10^8 * 10^-6

final number = 2*10^ (8-6)

final number = 2*10^2