Free Connective Tissue Cells-Monocytes

Monocytes are large blood cells that are rich in cytoplasm. Blood analysis shows that their diameters can reach 16–20 μm. The nuclei of monocytes are rounded but mostly kidney-shaped or lobed. The cytoplasm contains numerous mitochondria, ribosomes and small granules. The granular endoplasmic reticulum membranes (rER) are only sparse. As in this figure,  the Golgi apparatus is usually locate d in a perinuclear cove. Monocytes can also assume the functions of macrophages. Along with an erythrocyte 1 , this monocyte occupies a capillary. Monocytes develop in the bone marrow.

1 Erythrocyte

2 Endothelium

Electron microscopy; magnification: × 4000

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 .