Which organelle is associated with increased basophilia in the cytoplasm of stained cells?

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Multiple Choice

Which organelle is associated with increased basophilia in the cytoplasm of stained cells?

Explanation:
Basophilia in the cytoplasm reflects a high RNA content, which stains dark with basic dyes like hematoxylin. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is studded with ribosomes, and ribosomes are rich in ribosomal RNA. When a cell is actively synthesizing proteins, it expands its rough ER, increasing the amount of RNA-rich material in the cytoplasm and making it appear more basophilic. That’s why cells with abundant rough ER show a prominently blue/purple cytoplasm under standard stains. The Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and lysosomes do not contribute to this basophilic signal in the same way, as they are not dominated by ribosome-rich RNA content.

Basophilia in the cytoplasm reflects a high RNA content, which stains dark with basic dyes like hematoxylin. The rough endoplasmic reticulum is studded with ribosomes, and ribosomes are rich in ribosomal RNA. When a cell is actively synthesizing proteins, it expands its rough ER, increasing the amount of RNA-rich material in the cytoplasm and making it appear more basophilic. That’s why cells with abundant rough ER show a prominently blue/purple cytoplasm under standard stains. The Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and lysosomes do not contribute to this basophilic signal in the same way, as they are not dominated by ribosome-rich RNA content.

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