Which of the following is a problem associated with Picric Acid affecting red blood cells?

• A. Hemolyzes RBCs
• B. Increases RBC stability
• C. No effect on RBCs
• D. RBCs appear more basophilic

Answer: (A)

Picric acid in fixatives like Bouin’s solution creates an acidic environment that can disrupt red blood cell membranes. This chemical lysis causes red blood cells to hemolyze, leaving either completely removed cells or characteristic pale “ghost” outlines in the tissue. That is why the problem you’d observe with Picric acid affecting RBCs is hemolysis. It doesn’t increase RBC stability, nor does it leave RBCs unaffected, and the appearance of RBCs as more basophilic isn’t a typical outcome of this fixative.