Granulocyte

∞ generated and posted on 2016.03.18 ∞

The white blood cell types known as basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils.

Granulocytes obtain their name from the presence of "granules" within their cytoplasms, i.e., as can be observed via light microscopy. The difference between the three types of granulocytes, other than their functions and other details pertaining to their cell structures, is based upon how these granules stain. Contrast agranulocyte.

Basophil granule stain using a basic stain, in this case methylene blue. The granules of neutrophils stain using a combination of acid and basic stains, which are thus "neutral". Eosinophils stain using the stain, eosin.


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