percentage of cell viability using a haemocytometer

An experiment to determine percentage of cell viability by using serial dilutions and a haemocytometer

Aim The aim of this experiment was to determine accuracy of the cell count and how valid the result of the experiment will be.

Materials and Methods
Refer to Scientific and Laboratory skills practical booklet. (Pg. 10-Pg. 12)

Results
Table one: Raw data (Viable cells)
Tube
Counts (4x4 grid)
Counts (4x4 grid)
Counts (4x4 grid)
Counts (4x4 grid)
Average Count
A
34
31
33
33
32.75
B
13
12
9
7
10.25
C
9
4
5
6
6.00
D
4
4
3
3
3.50
E
3
4
1
3
2.75

Table two: Calculation of cell count (ml-1)
Tube
Average
Count for four
(4x4 grids)
Average
Count ml-1
(no. X 104)
Final Dilution factor
Original cell concentration A
32.75
327500
× 4
131 × 104
B
10.25
102500
× 8
82 × 104
C
6.00
60000
× 16
96 × 104
D
3.50
35000
× 32
112 × 104
E
2.75
27500
× 68
187 × 104

Table Three: Percentage of cell viability (%)
Tube
Average viable cell count for four
(4x4 grids)
Average total cell count for four
(4x4 grids) Cell
Viability (%)
A
32.75
34.00
96.32
B
10.25
11.25
91.10
C
6.00
6.50
92.31
D
3.50
4.00
87.50
E
2.75
2.80
98.21

Discussion
Table one shows the average number of viable cells in each tube. This is the raw data and does not take into account the dilution factor and number of non-viable cells. Thus, we cannot calculate percentage viability from this. Table two shows original cell concentration this can be calculated as the final dilution factor is taken into account. In table two as the dilution factor increases from tube A (× 4) to tube E (×68) so does the original cell concentration from tube A (131 × 104) to tube E (187× 104). This is because in a highly concentrated solution the cells tend to be denser then when in a diluted solution. This shows that in a highly diluted solution are easier to count. Whereas in a highly