Synaptic vesicles are small, spherical membrane-bound organelles that store and transport neurotransmitters in neurons. A high-resolution cross-section through the center (the widest part) of a synaptic vesicle shows exactly 424242 phospholipid molecules making up its circular outer membrane boundary.
Calculate the estimated number of phospholipid molecules on the entire outer surface of this spherical vesicle.
Assume the distribution of phospholipids is uniform across the entire outer membrane surface of the synaptic vesicle.
Use the formula: Surface area of a sphere=4πr2\text{Surface area of a sphere} = 4\pi r^2Surface area of a sphere=4πr2
12 exam-style questions on OCR A A Level Biology Biological membranes. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.