Question:
Which of the following is true for mast cells?
(A). These cells are common in loose connective tissue.
(B). These cells take metachromatic stain.
(C). These cells are rich in histamine, heparin and proteases.
(D). These cells contain basophilic cytoplasmic granules.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which of the following is true for mast cells?
(A). These cells are common in loose connective tissue.
(B). These cells take metachromatic stain.
(C). These cells are rich in histamine, heparin and proteases.
(D). These cells contain basophilic cytoplasmic granules.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
(A). These cells are common in loose connective tissue.
(B). These cells take metachromatic stain.
(C). These cells are rich in histamine, heparin and proteases.
(D). These cells contain basophilic cytoplasmic granules.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Show Hint
Metachromatic staining is a highly characteristic diagnostic feature of mast cells.
Toluidine blue is the classic stain used to identify mast cells and mast cell tumors in veterinary pathology due to this property.
Toluidine blue is the classic stain used to identify mast cells and mast cell tumors in veterinary pathology due to this property.
Updated On: Jul 14, 2026
- (A), (B) and (C) only.
- (A), (B) and (D) only.
- (A), (B), (C) and (D).
- (B), (C) and (D) only.
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Mast cells (mastocytes) are resident cells of connective tissue that play a central role in inflammatory and immediate allergic reactions (Type I hypersensitivity).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement individually:
(A) Mast cells are widely distributed throughout the body but are particularly abundant in loose (areolar) connective tissue, especially in the dermis of the skin and mucosal linings of the respiratory and digestive tracts, close to blood vessels. (True)
(B) Their cytoplasmic granules contain highly sulfated glycosaminoglycans (specifically heparin), which are highly acidic. When stained with basic dyes like toluidine blue, they exhibit metachromasia—the dye changes color from blue to purple/red due to the high density of negative charges on the heparin molecules. (True)
(C) The secretory granules of mast cells contain preformed mediators, including vasoactive amines (histamine), anticoagulants (heparin), and neutral proteases (such as tryptase and chymase). (True)
(D) The granules are highly basophilic because they bind readily to basic histochemical stains due to their acidic nature. (True)
Since all four statements (A, B, C, and D) are accurate descriptions of mast cell characteristics, the correct option is (C).
Step 3: Final Answer:
All statements are correct, so option (C) is the right choice.
Mast cells (mastocytes) are resident cells of connective tissue that play a central role in inflammatory and immediate allergic reactions (Type I hypersensitivity).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze each statement individually:
(A) Mast cells are widely distributed throughout the body but are particularly abundant in loose (areolar) connective tissue, especially in the dermis of the skin and mucosal linings of the respiratory and digestive tracts, close to blood vessels. (True)
(B) Their cytoplasmic granules contain highly sulfated glycosaminoglycans (specifically heparin), which are highly acidic. When stained with basic dyes like toluidine blue, they exhibit metachromasia—the dye changes color from blue to purple/red due to the high density of negative charges on the heparin molecules. (True)
(C) The secretory granules of mast cells contain preformed mediators, including vasoactive amines (histamine), anticoagulants (heparin), and neutral proteases (such as tryptase and chymase). (True)
(D) The granules are highly basophilic because they bind readily to basic histochemical stains due to their acidic nature. (True)
Since all four statements (A, B, C, and D) are accurate descriptions of mast cell characteristics, the correct option is (C).
Step 3: Final Answer:
All statements are correct, so option (C) is the right choice.
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