1. **State the problem:** Calculate how many cell divisions it takes to produce at least 1,000 cells from one original cell. 2. **Formula and explanation:** Each cell division doubles the number of cells. Starting with 1 cell, after $n$ divisions, the number of cells is given by: $$\text{Number of cells} = 2^n$$ We want to find the smallest integer $n$ such that: $$2^n \geq 1000$$ 3. **Solve the inequality:** Take the logarithm base 2 of both sides: $$n \geq \log_2(1000)$$ Calculate $\log_2(1000)$: $$\log_2(1000) = \frac{\log_{10}(1000)}{\log_{10}(2)} = \frac{3}{0.3010} \approx 9.97$$ 4. **Interpretation:** Since $n$ must be an integer, and $n \geq 9.97$, the smallest integer $n$ is 10. **Answer:** It takes 10 cell divisions to produce at least 1,000 cells. 2. **Describe what happens to the number of cells after each division:** After each division, the number of cells doubles. Starting from 1 cell, after 1 division there are 2 cells, after 2 divisions there are 4 cells, after 3 divisions there are 8 cells, and so on, following the pattern $2^n$. 3. **Challenge question:** Not all human cells divide at the same rate throughout life. Some cells, like skin or blood cells, divide frequently to replace worn-out cells. Others, like nerve or muscle cells, divide very slowly or not at all after maturity. This variation is due to the different functions and lifespans of cell types in the body.