Counting Blood Cells

The following questions relate to blood cell numbers in canines, humans and reptiles.

Dogs have a red blood cell (RBC) count approximately 1.4 times greater than that of humans. The range for humans is as follows:

(4.2 to 5.8) x 10⁶/mm³

Calculate the RBC count range for dogs.

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Ball Pythons have a RBC count approximately 0.16 times that of humans.

Calculate the RBC count range for Ball Pythons.

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In humans, the White Blood Cell (WBC) count is approximately:

(4.3 to 10.8) x 10⁸/mm³

Using the average of each range (WBC, and RBC above), calculate the ratio of RBC to WBC in the human body

RBC count for dogs

Human RBC range (4.2 – 5.8) x 10⁶

Dogs are 1.4 times greater. (Need to work out 4.2 x 1.4 and 5.8 x 1.4)

= (5.88 – 8.12) x 10 ⁶

Then need to consider significant figures (can’t have an answer more accurate than the original numbers)

If you need more information about significant figures you can watch this video from Khan Academy

Range count for RBC in dogs = (5.9 – 8.1) x 10 ⁶/mm³

RBC count in Ball Pythons

Need to multiply by 0.16

4.2 x 0.16 = 0.688

5.8 x 0.16 = 0.928

Need to consider power notation

0.688 x 10⁶ is the same as 6.88 x 10⁵

0.928 x 10 ⁶ is the same as 9.28 x 10⁵

And then need to consider significant figures

Range Count for RBC in Ball Pythons = (6.9 – 9.3) x 10⁵/mm³

Ratio of RBC to WBC

First work out the average of the range

RBC (4.2 + 5.8)/2

= 5.0 x 10⁶

WBC range average

(4.3 +10.8)/2

= 7.55 x 10³

Ratio RBC: WBC

5.0 x 10⁶ / 7.55 x 10³ = 0.66 x 10³= 6.6 x 10² = 660

Ratio 660:1