Quote:
Originally Posted by babydriver
As Tcoat pointed out, that's based on a "census" of the number of cells in our bodies vs. the number of microorganisms living on and in our bodies. It is true that the microorganisms greatly outnumber our cell count (about 10 to 1,) but their mass is infinitesimal compared to that of our own cells.
On a related note, if E-coli bacteria were able to reproduce without limit (an unlimited food supply and exponential population growth) and without mortality, their total mass would exceed that of the Earth within a week. No joke. Fortunately, there isn't that much food available.
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It makes much more sense considering it that way. The statement I heard at the time was very misleading. I remember thinking to myself "Really? That just doesn't add up." I appreciate how it turned into an interesting little conversation today.