Iron is biologically important in the transport of oxygen by red blood cells from the lungs to the various organs of the body. In the blood of an adult human, there are approximately 2.60 × 10¹³ red blood cells with a total of 2.90 g of iron. On the average, how many iron atoms are present in each red blood cell? (molar mass for Fe = 55.85 g)

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the number of iron atoms per red blood cell, first calculate the total number of moles of iron using the formula: moles = mass / molar mass = 2.90 g / 55.85 g/mol = 0.0519 mol. Then, calculate the total number of iron atoms using Avogadro's number (6.022 × 10^23 atoms/mol): 0.0519 mol × 6.022 × 10^23 atoms/mol = 3.12 × 10^22 atoms. Finally, divide the total number of iron atoms by the number of red blood cells: 3.12 × 10^22 atoms / 2.60 × 10^13 cells = 1.20 × 10^9 atoms per cell.

Iron Is Biologically Important in the Transport of Oxygen by Red