The cell at the arrow is an active fibroblast.

The cell at the arrow is an active fibroblast.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not Determinable
• D. Not Applicable

Answer: (A)

Active fibroblasts are the cells in connective tissue that ramp up protein synthesis to build extracellular matrix, especially collagen. When they’re actively producing matrix, they’re larger than resting fibrocytes and show a spindle-shaped cell with a relatively prominent, oval nucleus and a lot of cytoplasm filled with rough endoplasmic reticulum. This gives the cytoplasm a basophilic (blue-ish) appearance because of abundant rER and active transcription. If the arrow points to a cell with a prominent nucleus and substantial, eosinophilic-staining cytoplasm rich in organelles like rough ER and Golgi, that pattern fits an active fibroblast, indicating active collagen synthesis and matrix production. This contrasts with inactive fibrocytes, which are smaller with less cytoplasm and a denser, darker nucleus. So, the observed features align with an actively synthesizing fibroblast, supporting the True assessment.

Active fibroblasts are the cells in connective tissue that ramp up protein synthesis to build extracellular matrix, especially collagen. When they’re actively producing matrix, they’re larger than resting fibrocytes and show a spindle-shaped cell with a relatively prominent, oval nucleus and a lot of cytoplasm filled with rough endoplasmic reticulum. This gives the cytoplasm a basophilic (blue-ish) appearance because of abundant rER and active transcription.

If the arrow points to a cell with a prominent nucleus and substantial, eosinophilic-staining cytoplasm rich in organelles like rough ER and Golgi, that pattern fits an active fibroblast, indicating active collagen synthesis and matrix production. This contrasts with inactive fibrocytes, which are smaller with less cytoplasm and a denser, darker nucleus.

So, the observed features align with an actively synthesizing fibroblast, supporting the True assessment.