Granulocyte Series

Question 1

Name the 6 maturation stages of the neutrophilic cell series beginning with myeloblast

Answer 1

Myeloblast 
Promyelocyte
Myelocyte
Metamyelocyte
Banded neutrophil
Segmented neutrophil

Question 2

Differentiate non-specific and specific granules on the basis of their enzyme constituents

Answer 2

Primary (non-specific) granules are rich in peroxidase (aka myeloperoxidase)

Secondary (specific) granules are rich in LAP (leukocyte alkaline phosphates)

Question 3

Differentiate non-specific and specific granules on the basis of the maturation stage at which they appear

Answer 3

Primary granules appear at promyelocyte stage

Secondary appear at myelocyte stage

Question 4

Differentiate non-specific and specific granules on the basis of their appearance on Wright-stained smears

Answer 4

Primary granules appear purple to burgundy

Secondary granules appear pinkish and resemble ground glass

Question 5

Name the three compartments in which granulocytes are found w/in the body

Answer 5

Bone marrow
Peripheral blood
Tissues

Question 6

Discuss granulocyte kinetics in terms of approximate time present in each pool

Answer 6

Granulocytes spend 3-6 days in the mitotic pool, 5-7 days in the storage pool (then will spend 10 hours in circulation), 4-5 days in the tissues

Question 7

Discuss granulocyte kinetics in terms of maturation stage of cells in each pool

Answer 7

Mitotic pool: myeloblasts, promyelocytes, myelocytes

Storage pool: metamyelocytes, bands, segs

Question 8

Discuss granulocyte kinetics in terms of relative size distribution b/w the circulating granulocyte pool (CGP) and the marginal granulocyte pool (MGP)

Answer 8

Constantly in equilibrium w/ each other

Question 9

Discuss the BM’s two responses to an increase in demand for granulocytes in the tissues

Answer 9

Migration from the storage pool to peripheral blood (left shift)
Increased production (increased WBC count)

Question 10

Describe the four stages of phagocytosis

Answer 10

Opsonization/adherence
Ingestion via phagocytic vacuole
Degranulation via digestive vacuole
Exocytosis

Question 11

Name the major function of basophils

Answer 11

?

Question 12

Name the major function of eosinophils

Answer 12

Aggregates at site of Ag-Ab complexes and phagocytizes them; increased amount in allergic reactions and parasite infections

Question 13

Name the major function of neutrophils

Answer 13

Leave vasculature and migrate to areas of tissue damage or infection; mainly BACTERIAL infections

Question 14

Define myelopoiesis

Answer 14

Production of granulocytes in the BM b/w sinusoids

Question 15

Define phagocytosis

Answer 15

Ingestion of large particles or live microorganisms into cell

Question 16

Define “shift to the left”

Answer 16

Migration of granulocytes from storage pool to peripheral blood

Question 17

Describe the nuclear and cytoplasmic apperance of the myeloblast

Answer 17

N: round to oval nucleus; fine chromatin
C: moderate basophilia

Question 18

Describe the nuclear and cytoplasmic appearance of the premyelocyte

Answer 18

N: round to oval nucleus; fine but slightly coarser chromatin
C: basophilic; primary granules becoming prominent

Question 19

Describe the nuclear and cytoplasmic apperance of the myelocyte

Answer 19

N: round to oval, slightly eccentric, may have clearing next to the nucleus indicating location of Golgi; coarse and more condensed chromatin than promyelocyte
C: slightly basophilic, lighter color; primary granules, secondary granules becoming prominent

Question 20

Describe the nuclear and cytoplasmic appearance o the metamyelocyte

Answer 20

N: indented; kidney bean shape, indentation is

Question 21

Describe the nuclear and cytoplasmic apperance of the banded neutrophil

Answer 21

N: constricted but no threadlike filament, identation is > 50% of width of hypothetical round nucleus; coarse, clumped chromatin
C: pale pink to colorless

Question 22

Describe the nuclear and cytoplasmic apperance of the segmented neutrophil

Answer 22

N: 2-5 lobes connected by thin filaments, w/o visible chromatin; coarse, clumped chromatin
C: pale pink, cream colored, or colorless