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.

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Biology

Madison Burch

10 October, 23:20

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.

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Sean Gallagher · 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