What is the expected outcome of using an acidic buffer when preparing blood films for staining?

Using an acidic buffer when preparing blood films for staining can lead to changes in the staining characteristics of the cells. Specifically, an acidic buffer can cause an increase in the binding of certain dyes, resulting in a shift in color characteristics due to alterations in the cellular composition and interactions with the stain.

When an acidic buffer is used, the overall pH can affect the ionization of dyes and the cellular components, particularly hemoglobin. This often results in a more pronounced blue coloration in staining, making the cells appear bluer than normal. This is particularly evident in the staining protocols that target RNA or specific cellular components that have a higher affinity for the dye at lower pH levels.

The other outcomes mentioned do not accurately reflect the effects of using an acidic buffer. Overstained slides would imply an excessive concentration of stain, which does not directly correlate with the expected outcome of using such a buffer. Normal staining would represent a neutral condition, while understained slides would indicate insufficient dye interaction, typically not associated with the use of an acidic environment. Therefore, the anticipated consequence of using an acidic buffer is indeed that the slides will appear bluer than usual.