When compared with mature erythrocytes, reticulocytes:
a. Are larger and bluer on Wright stain from remnant ribonucleic acid (RNA)
b. Are larger and have more vacuoles on Wright stain from remnant deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
c. Stain pinker with new methylene blue
d. Still have a nucleus
ANS: A
Reticulocytes still contain some RNA, as well as mitochondria and other organelles; these stain with the basic component of Wright stain and so lend some "blueness" to the cytoplasmic color. They are also slightly larger in both diameter and volume than a mature red cell. New methylene blue is a vital stain used to precipitate residual RNA in these cells so that they can be enumerated. The precipitated material, called reticulum, stains blue with new methylene blue. Reticulocytes no longer have a nucleus; they are the first stage of development after extrusion of the nucleus.
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