The nucleoli are relatively large as compared to the heterochromatin granules, which are components of the nuclear DNA.
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Liver. Hematoxylin and eosin. Medium magnification.
In addition to the nucleoli, the nuclei contain small granules of very variable shapes and sizes that are part of the condensed chromatin. The parts of chromosomes in these areas of chromatin are highly spiralized and form what is commonly called heterochromatin.
The rest of the nucleus stains light blue, homogeneously and without granules. This portion is formed by decondensed chromatin, whose chromosomes are largely unspiralized, constituting the euchromatin.
Nuclei that contain a large amount of heterochromatin are highly stained and are called dense chromatin nuclei. Several of the non-hepatocyte nuclei shown in the image have dense chromatin. These are generally elongated nuclei located in the walls of the blood spaces.
Nuclei in which euchromatin predominates have a lighter staining and are called loose chromatin nuclei. The nuclei of hepatocytes are generally made of loose chromatin.
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