why is it more conveinent to use millimeters when describing the size of microscopic specimens?

Answer 1

If you mean millimeters to describe the international or scientific units of measure, then the system has a long history and sufficiently small enough units (like the micrometer - µm) to give reasonable numbers.

While millimeters (mm) can be used for gross specimens (like a piece of tree leaf), many of the microbiology specimens like bacteria as best measured in micrometers (µm). Viruses tend to be smaller.

Their is no equivalent size measurement in the Yard-Foot-Inch system.

Answer 2

Compared to what? Another system or smaller metric units? Most microscopic organisms are referred to in microns - thousandths of a millimeter (millionths of a meter). Metric system is more universally used in the sciences because it is mathematically consistent, versus the English system of feet, inches, pints etc., which only sporadically relate to each other and are difficult with which to do calculations.

Answer 3

As humans, we all learned to count on our hands and so are most comfortable with units that result in numbers between 1 & 10. We always adjust the units to fit this bias.........

Answer 4

because they go by tenths, not feet and yards and all that crap. you should have known this if you knew how to spell millimeters right...

Answer 5

I usually use micrometers.
Or even maybe picometers.