Question

1. (2 pts) A population of bacteria doubles every 8 hours. We start with 250 cells. How many will we have after 5 days. Use the simple formula, y = ab^x where b = 2 for doubling increment.

2. (2 pts) Now use the general formula. y(t) = a × e^kt. At 0 days, we have 250 cells. At 15 days with have 8,192,000 cells. What is the rate constant in units of days^-1.

3. (2 pts) A scientist will recognize that 0.693 is a very special value = to ln2. Use this fact to relate the general and simple formulas.

Answer 1