What does increased granularity in a cell indicate regarding side scatter measurements?

Increased granularity in a cell directly correlates with more intense light scattering in flow cytometry, particularly in side scatter measurements. This is because granules within a cell, such as those found in granulocytes or activated lymphocytes, scatter light differently compared to less granular cells. As granularity increases, the structure and complexity of the cellular interior contribute to an increase in the scattering of laser light, which is detected by the side scatter detector in a flow cytometer.

This characteristic is crucial for differentiating among various cell types based on their internal complexity and composition. In contrast, options that suggest lower voltage pulses, reduced cellular complexity, or decreased cell volume do not accurately reflect the relationship between granularity and side scatter. Increased granularity suggests a more complex cellular structure, which enhances light scattering, thus affirming that choice is indeed aligned with the principles of flow cytometry.