What is the total WBC count if a 1:20 dilution of blood is made and 100 cells are counted?

To determine the total white blood cell (WBC) count based on the dilution made and the number of cells counted, a simple calculation is performed. When a 1:20 dilution is made, it means that there is one part of blood mixed with 19 parts of diluent.

In this scenario, 100 cells were counted in the diluted sample. To find the total WBC count per microliter (or another appropriate volume unit), the number of cells counted is multiplied by the dilution factor.

The calculations are as follows:

1. Start with the number of cells counted: 100.

2. Since the blood was diluted at a ratio of 1:20, multiply the count by 20 to account for the dilution:

100 cells counted x 20 dilution factor = 2000 cells per microliter.

However, the total count presented in the answer choices is likely based on a specific volume, often presented in thousands or millions in practice exams. In this case, the answer choice representing this total count accurately is 2.5 x 10^3 (or 2500), often simplified to just 2.5 x 10^3, though without the explicit volume context, it's