The Incredible Red Blood Cells Production

How many erythrocytes are made per day by an average adult?

A) 1.7 x 10^8

B) 1.7 x 10^6

C) 1.7 x 10^11

D) 2.9 x 10^6

E) 2,000

Answer:

The correct answer is C) 1.7 x 10^11.

The average adult produces 2 million new erythrocytes (red blood cells) per second, which amounts to an incredible rate of production. To calculate how many erythrocytes are made per day by an average adult (24 hours), we need to break it down step by step.

Calculation:

First, let's calculate the number of erythrocytes produced in a minute:

- 2 million erythrocytes / 1 second = 120 million erythrocytes / minute (since 1 minute = 60 seconds)

Next, calculate the number of erythrocytes produced in 24 hours (1,440 minutes):

- 120 million erythrocytes / minute × 1,440 minutes = 172,800 million erythrocytes = 1.7 x 10^11 erythrocytes

Therefore, an average adult produces an astounding 1.7 x 10^11 erythrocytes per day. This remarkable process showcases the body's incredible ability to constantly regenerate red blood cells for vital functions.