What is the M:E ratio if RBC precursors account for 40% of cells and granulocyte precursors account for 60%?

To find the myeloid to erythroid (M:E) ratio, one must consider the proportions of the respective cell precursors involved in hematopoiesis. In this scenario, RBC (red blood cell) precursors represent 40% of the total cells, while granulocyte precursors constitute 60%.

To calculate the M:E ratio, the number of granulocyte precursors (myeloid) is compared to the number of RBC precursors (erythroid). Here, the RBC precursors (40%) can be seen as 40 parts and the granulocyte precursors (60%) as 60 parts.

To determine the ratio, these proportions are expressed as a fraction:

• Granulocyte precursors (myeloid) = 60

• RBC precursors (erythroid) = 40

The M:E ratio can thus be represented as:

M:E ratio = Granulocyte precursors : RBC precursors = 60 : 40

This ratio can be simplified by dividing both numbers by 20:

60 ÷ 20 = 3

40 ÷ 20 = 2

Thus, the M:E ratio can be expressed in simplest terms as 3:2. To convey