The Remarkable Precision of Measuring Microbial Cell Weight
By
arbesman
Pure flour-power. Hearty enough to carry you through lunch.
Summary
The article explores the precise measurement of the weight of single microbial cells, such as S. cerevisiae and E. coli, highlighting the remarkable accuracy of these measurements despite the cells' minuscule size. It questions the methodology behind such precise measurements and provides context about the weight of an E. coli bacterium compared to a grain of sand.
Key quotes
· 2 pulledA single yeast cell weighs about 100 picograms and a single E. coli bacterium weighs about one picogram, or 60 million times less than a grain of sand.
At first blush, measuring the weight of a single cell seems an impossible task. How can we make such a precise measurement with reasonable certainty?
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