Final answer:
A red blood cell, a type of eukaryotic cell, is approximately 10 to 20 times larger in diameter than a bacterial cell, which is a prokaryotic cell. Specifically, a typical primate red blood cell has a diameter of about 7.5 µm, making it much larger than most bacterial cells which range from 0.1 to 5.0 µm in diameter.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparison of a Red Blood Cell and a Bacterial Cell Size-
Eukaryotic cells, such as red blood cells, are significantly larger than prokaryotic cells (bacterial cells). While prokaryotic cells have a diameter ranging from 0.1 to 5.0 µm, eukaryotic cells typically have diameters ranging from 10 to 100 µm. Specifically, an average primate red blood cell has a diameter of about 7.5 µm. Considering the size ranges of both cell types, it is evident that a red blood cell is not only bigger than a bacterial cell but is also, in general, about 10 to 20 times larger in diameter.
The average volume of a eukaryotic cell is approximately 1000 times that of a typical bacterial cell. Therefore, in comparison to bacterial cells, red blood cells have a larger size which contributes to the lower surface-to-volume ratio and different structural adaptations to enhance intracellular transport and facilitate their primary function, which is to carry and deliver oxygen to the tissues.
Based on the provided information, the correct answer to the student's question is (d) 3.5 times bigger, but this is a conservative estimate given that eukaryotic cells can be substantially larger in volume compared to prokaryotic cells.