Final answer:
Reactive lymphocytes like plasma cells and Natural Killer cells have distinct cytoplasmic characteristics significant for immune responses. Plasma cells have ample cytoplasm with rough endoplasmic reticulum, while NK cells have a large nucleus and limited cytoplasm.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Reactive Lymphocytes
The characteristics of reactive lymphocytes, particularly their cytoplasmic characteristics, are distinctive. Reactive lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell involved in the adaptive immune response. The cytoplasm of reactive lymphocytes, such as plasma cells and Natural Killer (NK) cells, contain key features differentiating them from other cells. Plasma cells, for instance, are B cells that have evolved in response to antigen binding. They are unique in that they contain a large amount of cytoplasm filled with rough endoplasmic reticulum, the protein-synthesizing structure necessary for the secretion of soluble antibodies. On the other hand, Natural Killer cells are characterized by their large nuclei and a small rim of cytoplasm, which actively absorbs Wright stain, giving them a dark-colored appearance under a microscope. Both of these cell types are critical for the body's immune function and are found in the bloodstream, lymph, and secondary lymphoid organs such as the spleen and lymph nodes.