Answer:
65536 bacteria cells
Step-by-step explanation:
According to this question, a single bacterium divides to produce two cells in every 15 minutes. Since there are 60 minutes in 1 hour, this means that the bacterium will have divided (60 ÷ 15) = 4times in an hour
Based on this question, in 4 hours, the bacterium will have divided 4 hours × 4 times = 16 times.
The breakdown is; 4hours × 60mins = 240 mins
240 mins ÷ 15 mins interval
= 16 times.
The number of cells that this single bacterium will produce can be calculated using the simple formula; 2^n
Where; n is the number of times the cell can divide in 4 hours
Therefore, since the cell can divide 16times in 4 hours,
= 2^16
= 65536
There will be 65536 bacteria cells produced after 4 hours of division into two new cells in every 15mins.