What is the Difference Between Total Cell Count and Viable Cell Count?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between total cell count and viable cell count lies in the distinction between living and dead cells. Total cell count enumerates both living and dead microbial cells in a sample, while viable cell count enumerates only the living cells in a sample.
Total cell count is typically determined using direct microscopy or other direct measurements, which count cell numbers directly. On the other hand, viable cell count is a growth-based technique that requires incubation of plates until visible colonies form. Some techniques used for viable cell count include viable plate count, MPN (Most Probable Number), and membrane filtration.
In summary, the key difference between total cell count and viable cell count is:
- Total cell count includes both living and dead microbial cells.
- Viable cell count includes only the living cells in a sample.
Both total and viable cell counts are important for different purposes, such as studying cell survival and growth in various environments.
Comparative Table: Total Cell Count vs Viable Cell Count
The difference between total cell count and viable cell count lies in the types of cells they enumerates. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:
| Parameter | Total Cell Count | Viable Cell Count |
|---|---|---|
| Enumerates | Both living and dead microbial cells | Only living microbial cells |
| Technique | Direct microscopic counts, which use a microscope to count cells in a known volume of medium/sample | Growth-based techniques, such as plate counting, which require incubation of plates until visible colonies form |
Total cell count estimates the number of organisms within a population, including both living and dead microbial cells. On the other hand, viable cell count enumerates only the living cells and is a growth-based technique that requires incubation of plates until visible colonies form.
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