How Many Diffusion Processes Occur During Pregnancy?

[kasse]

A baby is born weighing 4kg. It starts its life from a single cell, which then divides into 2 cells, each
of those two divide then again, and so on. Use information from the problem above above to calculate
how many diffusion process happen in the 9 months of pregnancy. Is this a realistic answer? Which
assumptions are most questionable?

Assuming that 50% of the baby's mass consists of cells, and that each cell has a mass of 6.3E-13 kg, we have a total number of 3.2E12 cells when the baby is born.

Find number of diffusion processes:

$$1 \cdot 2^x = 3.2 \cdot 10^{12} \Rightarrow x = log_2(3.2 \cdot 10^{12}) \approx 42$$

Is my thinking and calculations correct? Is this a realistic answer? Which
assumptions are most questionable?

 

[mgb_phys]

Do all cells divide?
Do any cells die and are removed?

Other than that, looks good

 

[Blueshift5]

Your calculations appear to be correct. However, the answer of 42 diffusion processes in 9 months may not be entirely realistic. This calculation assumes that every single cell in the baby's body undergoes cell division at the same rate, which is not necessarily the case. Additionally, there are other factors that can affect the number of diffusion processes, such as cell growth and death. The assumption that 50% of the baby's mass consists of cells may also be questionable, as there are other components in the body such as fluids and tissues. Therefore, while your calculations provide a rough estimate, the actual number of diffusion processes during pregnancy may vary and cannot be accurately determined without more specific information and data.