Question

COVID-19 is caused by infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This virus can infect the type II pneumocytes, a type of cell in the alveoli of the lungs that produce surfactants to ensure proper lung function. Type II pneumocytes have a diameter of about 9 μm. SARS-CoV-2 virus particles have a diameter of about 100 nm.

How much larger is a Type II pneumocyte than a SARS-CoV-2 virion?

HINT: compare their volumes, assuming both are spheres!

The Type II pneumocyte cell is 790,000X larger than a SARS-CoV-2 virion.

How much wider is a Type II pneumocyte than a SARS-CoV-2 virion?

The Type II pneumocyte cell is_________ X wider than a SARS-CoV-2 virion.

Answer 1

1) Let us review the given facts.

Type 2 pneumocyte = 9micrometer diameter

The Sars-Cov2 = 100 nanometer diameter

Now we know that 1 micrometer = 1000 nanometer, therefore 9 micrometers = 9000 nanometers.

Since we have been asked to assume a sphere, let us take the diameter as the representation of width. In a sphere, the diameter is its widest point.

The question asked is how many times is a type 2 pneumocyte wider than a Sars-Cov 2 virion?

Translating that as an equation, we get.   

100 nm * x =9000nm

x =9000/100

x = 90

Therefore a Type 2 pneumocyte is 90 times wider than an Sars-Cov2 virion.