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Multiple Choice
Approximately how many cells does the average adult human body contain (rounded to the nearest order of magnitude)?
A
1 billion
B
10 trillion
C
10 million
D
100 trillion
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the context of the problem. The question is asking for an estimate of the total number of cells in the average adult human body, rounded to the nearest order of magnitude.
Step 2: Recall that the human body is composed of a vast number of cells, including specialized types such as muscle cells, nerve cells, and blood cells. These cells collectively make up tissues and organs.
Step 3: Consider the scale of the human body. The average adult human body weighs approximately 70 kilograms, and the number of cells must account for the complexity and size of the body.
Step 4: Use scientific knowledge to estimate the number of cells. Research and studies in biology suggest that the human body contains approximately 100 trillion cells, which is equivalent to \( 10^{14} \) cells. This is the nearest order of magnitude for the total cell count.
Step 5: Compare the given options. The correct answer aligns with the estimate of 100 trillion cells, which is significantly larger than 1 billion (\( 10^{9} \)), 10 million (\( 10^{7} \)), and 10 trillion (\( 10^{13} \)).