How Large Are Cells?

1. Step One

1.Look at the organism in the photo. The organism is an ameba, a large single-celled organism. This type of ameba is about 1 millimeter (mm) long.

1 mm

2. Step Two

• In your lab groups, use the measuring tape to measure your height in meters (m) to the nearest tenth (.1).

• Multiply your height by 1,000 to get your height in (mm). How many amebas would you have to stack end-to-end to equal your height?

3. Step Three

Many of the cells in your body are about 0.01 mm long—one hundredth the size of an ameba. How many body cells would you have to stack end-to-end to equal your height?