Chapter 16, Problem 10P

Summary Introduction

To evaluate: Whether mitochondrion or Olympic record holder will move fast.

Concept introduction: The mitochondrion is a highly polarized structure. In neurons mitochondria are abundantly present that can constantly move within the axon of a neuron and undergoes changes in order to physiological requirements.

Explanation of Solution

Given,

$\begin{array}{l}\text{The}\text{length}\text{of}\text{the}\text{mitochondrion}\text{=}\text{1μm}\\ \text{Distance}\text{travelled}\text{by}\text{mitochondrion}\text{in}\text{a}\text{day}\text{=}\text{1μm}\\ \text{ =}\text{1}\times {\text{10}}^6\text{μm}\end{array}$

Hence, a mitochondrion can travel 10⁶ times of body length in a day.

$\text{The height of the swimmer =}\text{2}\text{metre}$

$\begin{array}{l}\text{The body length of swimmer =2}\text{00}\text{/}\text{2}\\ \text{=}\text{100}\end{array}$

100 body lengths travel in 1.75 min.

$\begin{array}{l}\text{Body lengths travel in a minute=}\text{100/1}\text{.75}\\ \text{=57}\text{.14}\end{array}$ $\begin{array}{l}\text{Body lengths travel in one day}\text{=57}\text{.14}\times 60\times 24\\ \simeq 82282\end{array}$

Hence, a swimmer can travel 82282 times of body length in a day.

Conclusion

In terms of body lengths per day, the mitochondrion is travelling faster than the swimmer.