Final answer:
Basophilic stippling is the presence of small, blue-staining granules within red blood cells, not leukocytes such as neutrophils, eosinophils, or basophils. These granules are associated with certain anemias and heavy metal poisoning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Basophilic stippling refers to the presence of small, blue-staining granules within red blood cells (RBCs). These granules, also known as Pappenheimer bodies, indicate certain types of anemia or heavy metal poisoning. They are easily identified in a blood smear by their characteristic blue color when stained. Basophils, neutrophils, and eosinophils are types of white blood cells, or leukocytes, and they also contain granules. However, the granules in basophils are large and pick up a dark blue stain and make it challenging to see the two-lobed nucleus. In contrast, neutrophils have smaller granules that stain light lilac, and their nucleus can have two to five lobes, while eosinophils have granules that stain reddish-orange and a nucleus with two to three lobes. Thus, the correct answer to the question is:
D) Red Blood Cells.