Which stage immediately precedes the reticulocyte in erythropoiesis?

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Multiple Choice

Which stage immediately precedes the reticulocyte in erythropoiesis?

In erythropoiesis, red cell precursors mature through a sequence where the nucleus is finally expelled just before the reticulocyte forms. The last nucleated stage is the metarubricyte (orthochromatic erythroblast), which has a highly condensed nucleus and hemoglobin-rich cytoplasm as it prepares for enucleation. Once the nucleus is expelled, a reticulocyte is produced, still carrying residual RNA that can be seen with special stains. So the stage immediately before the reticulocyte is metarubricyte. The earlier stages listed occur earlier in development and are not the immediate predecessor.

In erythropoiesis, red cell precursors mature through a sequence where the nucleus is finally expelled just before the reticulocyte forms. The last nucleated stage is the metarubricyte (orthochromatic erythroblast), which has a highly condensed nucleus and hemoglobin-rich cytoplasm as it prepares for enucleation. Once the nucleus is expelled, a reticulocyte is produced, still carrying residual RNA that can be seen with special stains. So the stage immediately before the reticulocyte is metarubricyte. The earlier stages listed occur earlier in development and are not the immediate predecessor.

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