What term is used to describe red blood cells that vary in size?

Prepare for the AAB Medical Technologist (MT) Generalist Exam with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question includes hints and explanations to boost your understanding. Get exam-ready now!

The term that describes red blood cells varying in size is anisocytosis. This condition indicates a heterogeneous population of red blood cells, which can be associated with various hematological disorders. In practical terms, when a blood smear is examined under a microscope, anisocytosis can be identified by observing significant differences in the size of the red blood cells compared to normal red blood cells.

Hypochromia refers specifically to red blood cells that have reduced hemoglobin content and appear paler than normal, but it does not address the variance in size. Macrocytosis describes a condition where red blood cells are larger than average, which is a more specific alteration in red blood cell morphology rather than a general variation in size. Poikilocytosis refers to the presence of red blood cells that have an abnormal shape rather than size.

In summary, anisocytosis is the most suitable term for describing red blood cells that differ in size, making it the right choice in this context.

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