What is a hemocytometer used for?

A hemocytometer is a specialized counting chamber that allows for the manual counting of blood cells, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. It consists of a microscope slide and a cover slip with a grid pattern imprinted on it. This design allows medical professionals to accurately count the number of cells in a specific volume of blood, which is crucial for diagnosing various medical conditions and monitoring the overall health of patients.

In this context, the use of a hemocytometer is specifically significant for performing a manual white blood count. This count helps assess immune function, identify infections, and monitor conditions such as leukemia or other hematological disorders. Other options relate to different medical procedures or pieces of equipment, such as measuring blood glucose levels, checking blood pressure, or assessing lung function, which do not pertain to the specific function of a hemocytometer.