Using the Metric System

Biotechnologists use the metric system to measure weight, volume, and length using decimals and whole numbers

Measurements of Length

1 kilometer (km)	= 1,000 meters (m)
1 meter (m)	= 100 centimeters (cm)
1 centimeter (cm)	= 10 millimeters (mm)

Measurements of Volume

1 cubic meter (m³)	= 1,000 liter (l)
1 liter (l)	= 1,000 milliliters (ml)
1 milliliter (ml)	= 1,000 micro liters (µl)

Measurements of Weight

1 kilogram (kg)	= 1,000 grams (g)
1 gram (g)	= 1,000 milligrams (mg)
1 milligram Example 1: How many centimeters are in 5 meters? Step 1: Find the heading “Measurements of Length” and find how many centimeters are in 1 meter. Step 2: Multiply that answer (100 cm) by the number of meters in the question: 100 cm x 5 meters = 500 cm There are 100 centimeters in 1 meter.  (mg) How many liters are in 2.4 cubic meters? Step 1: Find the heading “Measurements of Volume” to find out how many liters are in 1 cubic meter. There are 1,000 liters in 1 cubic meter. Step 2: Multiply that answer (1,000 l) by the number of cubic meters in the questions: 1,000 x 2.4 = 2,400 liters	= 1,000 micrograms (µg