BIOD 152 AP2 LAB 5 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | Portage Learning |
25 Questions with Rationales | Complete Answer Key | Updated Lab
Edition | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: BLOOD SMEAR IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS
Q1 (Blood Smear Identification): [Image description: Peripheral blood smear at 1000x oil
immersion with numbered cells 1-6]
Identify the cells labeled 1-6:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Correct Answer:
1. Erythrocyte (red blood cell) [CORRECT]
2. Neutrophil [CORRECT]
3. Lymphocyte [CORRECT]
4. Monocyte [CORRECT]
5. Eosinophil [CORRECT]
6. Platelet (thrombocyte) [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Erythrocyte (1): Anucleate, biconcave disc, approximately 7-8 µm diameter, pale
center with darker periphery due to biconcave shape. Most numerous cell type
(4-6 million/µL).
● Neutrophil (2): Most abundant leukocyte (50-70%); multi-lobed nucleus with 3-5
lobes connected by thin chromatin strands; fine, light pink/lilac granules in
cytoplasm; 10-12 µm diameter. "Polymorphonuclear leukocyte" or "seg"
(segmented).
, ● Lymphocyte (3): Second most common (20-40%); large, round, densely stained
nucleus occupying most of cell; thin rim of pale blue cytoplasm; 6-9 µm (small) or
10-14 µm (large). Crucial for adaptive immunity.
● Monocyte (4): Largest leukocyte (12-20 µm); kidney-shaped or horseshoe-shaped
nucleus with lacy chromatin; abundant gray-blue cytoplasm with fine dust-like
granules; precursor to tissue macrophages.
● Eosinophil (5): 1-4% of leukocytes; bilobed nucleus (often obscured); large, bright
orange-red granules (eosinophilic); involved in allergic responses and parasitic
defense.
● Platelet (6): Small cell fragments (2-4 µm), anucleate, irregular shape, appear as
clumps or individually; purple granules; essential for clotting.
Common errors: Confusing neutrophil and eosinophil granules (eosinophils have larger,
brighter granules); confusing lymphocyte and monocyte (monocyte is larger with
kidney-shaped nucleus); missing platelets due to small size.
Q2 (Blood Smear Identification): [Image description: Blood smear showing basophil
indicated by arrow]
Identify this leukocyte and describe its key distinguishing features:
Correct Answer: Basophil [CORRECT]
Rationale: Basophils are the least common granulocyte (<1% of leukocytes) and often
missed on blood smears. Key features: (1) Large, coarse, dark purple-blue granules that
are water-soluble and often obscure the nucleus (may appear "empty" or washed out if
granules dissolved); (2) S-lobed or bilobed nucleus usually hidden by granules; (3)
Granules contain histamine and heparin. Clinical correlation: Basophilia (elevated
basophils) is rare but occurs in myeloproliferative disorders and some allergic
reactions. Distinguishing from neutrophils: Neutrophil granules are finer and lighter;
nucleus is clearly visible. Distinguishing from mast cells: Mast cells are tissue-resident
and not normally found in peripheral blood.
, Q3 (Multiple Choice): Which of the following correctly describes the normal differential
white blood cell count from most to least abundant?
A. Neutrophils > Lymphocytes > Monocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils [CORRECT]
B. Lymphocytes > Neutrophils > Monocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils
C. Neutrophils > Monocytes > Lymphocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils
D. Neutrophils > Lymphocytes > Eosinophils > Monocytes > Basophils
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal differential: Neutrophils 50-70% > Lymphocytes 20-40% > Monocytes
2-8% > Eosinophils 1-4% > Basophils <1%. B incorrectly places lymphocytes first (they
are second). C incorrectly places monocytes before lymphocytes. D incorrectly places
eosinophils before monocytes. Understanding the normal differential is essential for
recognizing pathological shifts: "left shift" (increased immature neutrophils in bacterial
infection), lymphocytosis (viral infections), eosinophilia (allergies, parasites), basophilia
(rare, myeloproliferative disorders).
Q4 (Blood Smear Identification): [Image description: Blood smear showing abnormal red
blood cell morphology with numbered cells]
Identify the abnormal RBC morphologies labeled 1-3:
1.
2.
3.
Correct Answer:
1. Sickle cell (drepanocyte) [CORRECT]
2. Microcytic hypochromic cell [CORRECT]
3. Macrocyte or megaloblast [CORRECT]
Rationale:
25 Questions with Rationales | Complete Answer Key | Updated Lab
Edition | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
SECTION 1: BLOOD SMEAR IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS
Q1 (Blood Smear Identification): [Image description: Peripheral blood smear at 1000x oil
immersion with numbered cells 1-6]
Identify the cells labeled 1-6:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Correct Answer:
1. Erythrocyte (red blood cell) [CORRECT]
2. Neutrophil [CORRECT]
3. Lymphocyte [CORRECT]
4. Monocyte [CORRECT]
5. Eosinophil [CORRECT]
6. Platelet (thrombocyte) [CORRECT]
Rationale:
● Erythrocyte (1): Anucleate, biconcave disc, approximately 7-8 µm diameter, pale
center with darker periphery due to biconcave shape. Most numerous cell type
(4-6 million/µL).
● Neutrophil (2): Most abundant leukocyte (50-70%); multi-lobed nucleus with 3-5
lobes connected by thin chromatin strands; fine, light pink/lilac granules in
cytoplasm; 10-12 µm diameter. "Polymorphonuclear leukocyte" or "seg"
(segmented).
, ● Lymphocyte (3): Second most common (20-40%); large, round, densely stained
nucleus occupying most of cell; thin rim of pale blue cytoplasm; 6-9 µm (small) or
10-14 µm (large). Crucial for adaptive immunity.
● Monocyte (4): Largest leukocyte (12-20 µm); kidney-shaped or horseshoe-shaped
nucleus with lacy chromatin; abundant gray-blue cytoplasm with fine dust-like
granules; precursor to tissue macrophages.
● Eosinophil (5): 1-4% of leukocytes; bilobed nucleus (often obscured); large, bright
orange-red granules (eosinophilic); involved in allergic responses and parasitic
defense.
● Platelet (6): Small cell fragments (2-4 µm), anucleate, irregular shape, appear as
clumps or individually; purple granules; essential for clotting.
Common errors: Confusing neutrophil and eosinophil granules (eosinophils have larger,
brighter granules); confusing lymphocyte and monocyte (monocyte is larger with
kidney-shaped nucleus); missing platelets due to small size.
Q2 (Blood Smear Identification): [Image description: Blood smear showing basophil
indicated by arrow]
Identify this leukocyte and describe its key distinguishing features:
Correct Answer: Basophil [CORRECT]
Rationale: Basophils are the least common granulocyte (<1% of leukocytes) and often
missed on blood smears. Key features: (1) Large, coarse, dark purple-blue granules that
are water-soluble and often obscure the nucleus (may appear "empty" or washed out if
granules dissolved); (2) S-lobed or bilobed nucleus usually hidden by granules; (3)
Granules contain histamine and heparin. Clinical correlation: Basophilia (elevated
basophils) is rare but occurs in myeloproliferative disorders and some allergic
reactions. Distinguishing from neutrophils: Neutrophil granules are finer and lighter;
nucleus is clearly visible. Distinguishing from mast cells: Mast cells are tissue-resident
and not normally found in peripheral blood.
, Q3 (Multiple Choice): Which of the following correctly describes the normal differential
white blood cell count from most to least abundant?
A. Neutrophils > Lymphocytes > Monocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils [CORRECT]
B. Lymphocytes > Neutrophils > Monocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils
C. Neutrophils > Monocytes > Lymphocytes > Eosinophils > Basophils
D. Neutrophils > Lymphocytes > Eosinophils > Monocytes > Basophils
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Normal differential: Neutrophils 50-70% > Lymphocytes 20-40% > Monocytes
2-8% > Eosinophils 1-4% > Basophils <1%. B incorrectly places lymphocytes first (they
are second). C incorrectly places monocytes before lymphocytes. D incorrectly places
eosinophils before monocytes. Understanding the normal differential is essential for
recognizing pathological shifts: "left shift" (increased immature neutrophils in bacterial
infection), lymphocytosis (viral infections), eosinophilia (allergies, parasites), basophilia
(rare, myeloproliferative disorders).
Q4 (Blood Smear Identification): [Image description: Blood smear showing abnormal red
blood cell morphology with numbered cells]
Identify the abnormal RBC morphologies labeled 1-3:
1.
2.
3.
Correct Answer:
1. Sickle cell (drepanocyte) [CORRECT]
2. Microcytic hypochromic cell [CORRECT]
3. Macrocyte or megaloblast [CORRECT]
Rationale:
