Ergastoplasm

Cells that biosynthesize and export large amounts of proteins have strongly basophilic cytoplasmic regions, which have been named ergastoplasm (from Greek: ergasticos = industrious, working cytoplasm). In light microscopic images, this basophilic material appears in a variety of forms. The homogeneous or banded material ( chromophilic substance ) from the basal part of highly active secretory gland cells is very well known, and so are the smaller or larger Chromophilic bodies in the cytoplasm of nerve cells. Due to their ribosome content, these cell components have a high affinity for basic dyes (e.g., hematoxylin). Electron microscopy reveals an elaborate system of densely packed granular endoplasmic reticulum (rough ER , rER) as the material that makes up the basophilic ergastoplasm seen in light microscopy. This figure shows acini from the exocrine pancreas. These cells show pronounced basal basophilia 1 . In contrast, the supranuclear and apical cytoplasmic regions are only sparsely granulated.

1 Cell regions with ergastoplasm, basal basophilia

2 Lumina of the acini

3 Blood vessels

Basophilic cytoplasm (blue) in the basal regions of gland cells (basal basophilia) 1. The presence of ribosomes accounts for the affinity to basic dyes. The basophilic cytoplasm corresponds to the granular (rough) endoplasmic reticulum (rER). The supranuclear and apical cell regions contain no ergastoplasm and therefore remain unstained. The round cell nuclei in the basal cytoplasmic region are stained light blue. Parotid gland (glandula  parotidea) of the rat.

1 Cell regions with ergastoplasm, basal basophilia

2 Acini

3 Blood vessels

References

Kuehnel, W.(2003). Color Atlas of Cytology, Histology, and Microscopic Anatomy. 4^th edition . Institute of Anatomy Universitätzu Luebeck Luebeck, Germany . Thieme Stuttgart · New York .