Which white blood cell is characterized by coarse granules that stain blue with basic dyes and a lobed nucleus?

Which white blood cell is characterized by coarse granules that stain blue with basic dyes and a lobed nucleus?

• A. Basophil
• B. Eosinophil
• C. Neutrophil
• D. Monocyte

Answer: (A)

This item hinges on identifying white blood cells by staining properties and nuclear shape. Basophils are defined by large, coarse granules that stain blue with basic dyes (basophilic staining). Those prominent granules often hide a lobed or irregular nucleus, giving the cell a distinctly dark, granular look. Eosinophils would show coarse granules that stain bright red/orange with eosin dye, not blue. Neutrophils have many small granules that stain neutral, and their nucleus is multi-lobed but not masked by blue granules. Monocytes are larger cells with a kidney-shaped nucleus and lack the coarse blue granules. So the combination of coarse blue-staining granules and a lobed nucleus points to the basophil.

This item hinges on identifying white blood cells by staining properties and nuclear shape. Basophils are defined by large, coarse granules that stain blue with basic dyes (basophilic staining). Those prominent granules often hide a lobed or irregular nucleus, giving the cell a distinctly dark, granular look.

Eosinophils would show coarse granules that stain bright red/orange with eosin dye, not blue. Neutrophils have many small granules that stain neutral, and their nucleus is multi-lobed but not masked by blue granules. Monocytes are larger cells with a kidney-shaped nucleus and lack the coarse blue granules.

So the combination of coarse blue-staining granules and a lobed nucleus points to the basophil.