A extremophile’s protein stores energy with a capacity of 7.8 × 10⁻¹⁹ joules per molecule. If a cell contains 2.4 × 10⁸ such molecules, what is the total energy capacity in joules? Express in scientific notation.

["Understanding Extremophile Protein Energy Storage: Calculating Total Cellular Energy Capacity", "Extremophiles—microorganisms thriving in extreme environments—possess remarkable biochemical adaptations that enable survival under conditions lethal to most life forms. One such adaptation is highly efficient energy storage at the molecular level. A key feature of extremophile proteins is their ability to store energy in compact molecular units with extraordinary precision.", "Recent research reveals that each energy-storing protein molecule in extremophiles can capture approximately 7.8 × 10⁻¹⁹ joules of energy. This efficiency is crucial in harsh environments where energy is scarce. But how does this translate to total energy capacity at the cellular level?", "### How to Calculate Total Energy Capacity", "Suppose each extremophile cell contains about 2.4 × 10⁸ energy-storing protein molecules. To determine the total energy stored, multiply the energy per molecule by the total number of molecules:", "[\n\ ext{Total Energy} = \left(7.8 \ imes 10^{-19}~\ ext{J/molecule}\right) \ imes \left(2.4 \ imes 10^{8}~\ ext{molecules}\right)\n]", "### Step-by-Step Calculation", "1. Multiply the coefficients:\n ( 7.8 \ imes 2.4 = 18.72 )", "2. Add the exponents of powers of 10:\n ( -19 + 8 = -11 )", "So,\n[\n\ ext{Total Energy} = 18.72 \ imes 10^{-11}~\ ext{J} = 1.872 \ imes 10^{-10}~\ ext{J}\n]", "### Final Result", "The total energy capacity stored in a typical extremophile cell due to protein-based energy reserves is:", "[\n\boxed{1.872 \ imes 10^{-10}~\ ext{joules}}\n]", "This exceptional energy density highlights the evolutionary ingenuity of extremophiles, offering insights into life’s resilience and inspiring bio-inspired energy storage technologies. For researchers studying life in extreme environments—and for engineers modeling ultra-efficient energy systems—understanding these molecular mechanisms is vital.", "---", "Keywords: extremophile energy storage, protein molecular energy, microscopic energy capacity, biochemical adaptation, 7.8 × 10⁻¹⁹ J, 2.4 × 10⁸ molecules, energy density, extremophile biology, cell energy storage."]