How Many Diffusion Processes Occur During Pregnancy?

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A baby weighing 4kg is estimated to consist of approximately 3.2 trillion cells at birth, assuming 50% of its mass is cellular and each cell weighs 6.3E-13 kg. The calculation for the number of diffusion processes during pregnancy suggests around 42 divisions, derived from the equation 1 · 2^x = 3.2E12. The realism of this estimate is questioned, particularly regarding the assumptions that all cells divide and none die during development. Key concerns include the accuracy of cell division rates and the potential for cell loss throughout gestation. Overall, while the calculations are mathematically sound, the biological assumptions may not fully reflect the complexities of fetal development.
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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:

<br /> 1 \cdot 2^x = 3.2 \cdot 10^{12} \Rightarrow x = log_2(3.2 \cdot 10^{12}) \approx 42<br />

Is my thinking and calculations correct? Is this a realistic answer? Which
assumptions are most questionable?
 
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Do all cells divide?
Do any cells die and are removed?

Other than that, looks good
 
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