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Which cell can be identified by its dark, irregular, lobulated nucleus and colorless or pale pink-orange cytoplasm?

a. Neutrophil
b. Eosinophil
c. Monocyte
d. Lymphocyte

2 Answers

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Final answer:

A neutrophil can be identified by its dark, irregular, lobulated nucleus and pale pink-orange cytoplasm, which contains fine granules appearing light lilac under neutral stains.

Step-by-step explanation:

The cell that can be identified by its dark, irregular, lobulated nucleus and colorless or pale pink-orange cytoplasm is a neutrophil. Neutrophils are characterized by having a distinct lobed nucleus that may have two to five lobes, with the number of lobes increasing as the cell ages.

They belong to a class of leukocytes called granulocytes, which are often the first responders during injury or infection. The neutrophil's cytoplasm contains fine granules that usually appear light lilac with neutral stains, contributing to the identification of these cells.

By contrast, eosinophils have a two to three-lobed nucleus and larger granules that stain reddish-orange, whereas basophils have a two-lobed nucleus with large granules that stain dark blue to purple. Lymphocytes, which are part of the agranulocytes, have large dark-staining nuclei and a narrow rim of cytoplasm.

User Insanity
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6 votes

Final answer:

The cell with a dark, irregular, lobulated nucleus and colorless or pale pink-orange cytoplasm is a neutrophil. Neutrophils are granulocytes that serve as first responders in the immune system and can be identified by their distinct lobed nucleus and light lilac-staining granules. Option a is the correct answer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A cell that can be identified by its dark, irregular, lobulated nucleus and colorless or pale pink-orange cytoplasm is a neutrophil. Neutrophils are a type of granulocyte, a category of white blood cells characterized by having granular inclusions in their cytoplasm and a distinctly lobed nucleus. They play a vital role in the body's defense system as first responders to infection or injury.

A neutrophil's nucleus usually has two to five lobes, and the number can increase as the cell ages. These cells are occasionally called polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) or 'polys' due to their lobed nuclei. The granules within a neutrophil are small and stain light lilac. In contrast, other granulocytes like eosinophils and basophils have larger granules that stain reddish-orange and dark blue to purple, respectively, with distinctive nuclei shapes.

In the context of the given options, the correct answer to which cell is identified by a dark, irregular, lobulated nucleus and colorless or pale pink-orange cytoplasm is a. Neutrophil.

User Jukka Dahlbom
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