CONCEPTS IN BIOLOGY
Appendix 1
The Metric System
|
Standard Metric Units |
|
Abbreviation |
|
Standard unit of mass |
gram |
g |
|
Standard unit of length |
meter |
m |
|
Standard unit of volume |
liter |
L |
|
Common Prefixes |
Examples |
|
|
kilo |
1,000 |
A kilogram is 1,000 grams |
|
centi |
0.01 |
A centimeter is 0.01 meter. |
|
milli |
0.001 |
A milliliter is 0.001 liter. |
|
micro (μ) |
one-millionth |
A micrometer is 0.000001 (one-millionth) of a meter. |
|
nano (n) |
one-billionth |
A nanogram is 10-9 (one-billionth) of a gram. |
|
pico (p) |
one-trillionth |
A picogram is 10-12 (one-trillionth) of a gram. |
Units of Length
|
Unit |
Abbreviation |
Equivalent |
|
meter |
m |
approximately 39 in. |
|
centimeter |
cm |
10-2 m |
|
millimeter |
mm |
10-3 m |
|
micrometer |
μm |
10-6 m |
|
nanometer |
nm |
10-9 m |
|
angstrom |
A |
10-10 m |
Length Conversions
1 in. = 2.5 cm
1 ft = 30 cm
1 yd = 0.9 m
1 mi = 1.6 km
1 mm = 0.039 in
1 cm = 0.39 in
1 m = 39 in
1 m = 1.094 yd
1 km = 0.6 mi
|
To Convert |
Multiply By |
To Obtain |
|
inches |
2.54 |
centimeters |
|
feet |
30 |
centimeters |
|
centimeters |
0.39 |
inches |
|
millimeters |
0.039 |
inches |
Units of Volume
|
Unit |
Abbreviation |
Equivalent |
|
liter |
L |
approximately 1.06 qt |
|
milliliter |
mL |
10-3 L (1 mL = 1 cm3 = 1 cc) |
|
microliter |
μL |
10-6 L |
Volume Conversions
1 tsp = 5 mL
1 tbsp = 15 mL
1 fl oz = 30 mL
1 cup = 0.24 L
1 pt = 0.47 L
1 qt = 0.95 L
1 gal = 3.8 L
1 mL = 0.03 fl oz
1 L = 2.1 pt
1 L = 1.06 qt
1 L = 0.26 gal
|
To Convert |
Multiply By |
To Obtain |
|
fluid ounces |
30 |
milliliters |
|
quarts |
0.95 |
liters |
|
milliliters |
0.03 |
fluid ounces |
|
liters |
1.06 |
quarts |
Units of Weight
|
Unit |
Abbreviation |
Equivalent |
|
kilogram |
kg |
103 g (approximately 2.2 lb) |
|
gram |
g |
approximately 0.035 oz |
|
milligram |
mg |
10-3 g |
|
microgram |
μg |
10-6 g |
|
nanogram |
ng |
10-9 g |
|
pictogram |
pg |
10-12 g |
Weight Conversions
1 oz = 28.3 g
1 lb = 453.6 g
1 lb = 0.45 kg
1 g = 0.035 oz
1 kg = 2.2 lb
|
To Convert |
Multiply By |
To Obtain |
|
ounces |
28.3 |
grams |
|
pounds |
453.6 |
grams |
|
pounds |
0.45 |
kilograms |
|
grams |
0.035 |
ounces |
|
kilograms |
2.2 |
pounds |
Temperature
Apothecary System of Weight and Volume*
|
Metric |
Apothecary |
Metric |
Apothecary |
|
Weight |
Weight |
Volume |
Volume |
|
30 g |
= 1 ounce |
1,000 mL |
= 1 quart |
|
15 g |
= 4 drams |
500 mL |
= 1 pint |
|
10 g |
= 2.5 drams |
250 mL |
= 8 fl ounces |
|
4 g |
= 60 grains |
90 mL |
= 3 fl ounces |
|
|
(= 1 dram) |
30 mL |
= 1 fl ounce |
|
2 g |
= 30 grains |
|
|
|
1 g |
= 15 grains |
|
|
___________________________
*Used by pharmacists in preparing medications.
Temperature Conversions
Some Equivalents
0°C = 32°F
37°C = 98.6°F
100°C = 212°F