During erythropoiesis, which stage shows a pink-tinged cytoplasm and a condensing nucleus?

Get ready for the CAMLPR Hematology Test. Use our quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations to enhance your understanding. Prepare confidently for your exam!

Multiple Choice

During erythropoiesis, which stage shows a pink-tinged cytoplasm and a condensing nucleus?

During erythropoiesis, the color of the cytoplasm shifts as hemoglobin is made. Early stages show basophilic (blue) cytoplasm because ribosomal RNA is abundant. As hemoglobin accumulates, the cytoplasm becomes a mix of blue and pink, giving a pink-tinged appearance—the hallmark of the chromatophilic or polychromatic erythroblast. At this stage the nucleus is shrinking and becoming more condensed, but it has not yet been expelled. That combination—pink-tinged cytoplasm with a condensing nucleus—points to the polychromatic erythroblast. As maturation continues, the nucleus becomes fully condensed and is extruded (orthochromatic stage), and later the red cell lacks a nucleus entirely.

During erythropoiesis, the color of the cytoplasm shifts as hemoglobin is made. Early stages show basophilic (blue) cytoplasm because ribosomal RNA is abundant. As hemoglobin accumulates, the cytoplasm becomes a mix of blue and pink, giving a pink-tinged appearance—the hallmark of the chromatophilic or polychromatic erythroblast. At this stage the nucleus is shrinking and becoming more condensed, but it has not yet been expelled. That combination—pink-tinged cytoplasm with a condensing nucleus—points to the polychromatic erythroblast. As maturation continues, the nucleus becomes fully condensed and is extruded (orthochromatic stage), and later the red cell lacks a nucleus entirely.

More practice questions