Final answer:
A lysis solution is used to lyse blood on a smear for microscopic examination. Stains like crystal violet, safranin, or Wright-Giemsa stain are applied during the slide preparation process, after which the blood cells are examined under an oil immersion lens.
Step-by-step explanation:
The solution referred to in the question that is used after slide preparation to lyse blood on a smear is a lysis solution that breaks down cell membranes and allows for the detailed analysis of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets under a microscope. Common practices in preparing a blood smear involve staining the slide with various dyes such as crystal violet, safranin, or Wright-Giemsa stain to differentiate and inspect the cellular components of the blood. After staining, the smear is typically rinsed with water, and cells are examined using a light microscope with an oil immersion objective lens for high-resolution viewing.
One example of a blood smear staining process includes heat fixing the smear by passing it through a Bunsen burner flame, followed by adding a cationic dye such as methylene blue or crystal violet, or an anionic dye like eosin. These dyes bind differently to cellular components, allowing for easier observation of the blood cells against the background. After staining with Wright-Giemsa, the red blood cells appear pinkish-red and the white blood cells' nucleus and cytoplasm show various shades of purple, facilitating a more accurate cell count and pathology detection.