haemocytometer

A haemocytometer is a specialized counting chamber used for enumerating or counting cells, typically blood cells, under a microscope. It consists of a thick glass slide with a precisely etched grid pattern on its surface. This grid is divided into a known area and volume. When a sample, such as a blood or cell suspension, is applied to the chamber, it fills the space above the grid. The user then observes the chamber under a microscope and counts the cells that fall within the defined grid areas. By knowing the volume of the grid area and the number of cells counted, one can calculate the concentration of cells in the original sample. Haemocytometers are commonly used in hematology laboratories for determining red blood cell and white blood cell counts. They are also employed in other biological research settings for counting various types of cells, such as bacteria or yeast. Accuracy in using a haemocytometer depends on proper sample preparation, precise loading of the chamber, and careful counting.