Lymphocytes and plasma cells

Lymphocytes

1. Three groups of lymphocytes can be identified according to size: small, medium, and large (ranging in diameter from 6 to 30 micrometer).
2. In blood stream, most lymphocytes are small (90%) or medium sized.
3. The mature lymphocyte approximates the size of an erythrocyte.

Plasma cells

1.  Antibody producing cells derived from B lymphocytes.
2. Relatively large, ovoid cell (20 micrometer) with a considerable amount of cytoplasm.
3. The cytoplasm displays strong basophilia because of an extensive rER.
4. Also exhibit a clear area in the cytoplasm near the nucleus (negatively stained regions- Golgi apparatus)
5. Nucleus- spherical and typically offset or eccentrically positioned. Small, not much larger than the nucleus of lymphocyte. Exhibit large clumps of peripheral heterochromatin alternating with clear areas of euchromatin (cartwheel/analog clock face).