What term describes erythrocytes staining varying shades of lavender?

What term describes erythrocytes staining varying shades of lavender?

• A. Anemia
• B. Anisocytosis
• C. Poikilocytosis
• D. Polychromasia

Answer: (D)

Polychromasia describes erythrocytes that stain in more than one color on a Wright-stained smear. Immature red blood cells (reticulocytes) retain RNA, which stains a blue‑lavender color, so the smear shows a mix of pink mature cells and bluish-lavender immature cells. This color variation signals recent or increased red cell production. The other terms relate to different abnormalities: anemia is a condition; anisocytosis is variation in cell size; poikilocytosis is variation in cell shape.

Polychromasia describes erythrocytes that stain in more than one color on a Wright-stained smear. Immature red blood cells (reticulocytes) retain RNA, which stains a blue‑lavender color, so the smear shows a mix of pink mature cells and bluish-lavender immature cells. This color variation signals recent or increased red cell production. The other terms relate to different abnormalities: anemia is a condition; anisocytosis is variation in cell size; poikilocytosis is variation in cell shape.