Question

Reticulocytes are identified on blood smear as large RBCs with a bluish cytoplasm. What is the size of reticulocytes?

1) Small
2) Medium
3) Large
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Reticulocytes are categorized as large compared to normal mature red blood cells, because they still contain some organelles, which make them macrocytic.

Step-by-step explanation:

The size of reticulocytes can be identified by comparing them to standard RBCs (red blood cells). Reticulocytes are slightly larger than the average mature erythrocyte due to the fact that they still contain remnants of organelles, such as a network of ribosomes, which give them a bluish cytoplasm. In terms of mean corpuscle volume (MCV), reticulocytes are considered larger than normal cells or macrocytic, since they are immature RBCs released into the bloodstream to mature into erythrocytes. Based on the available options, the size of reticulocytes would be categorized as 3) Large.