Ask a doctor - What's the function of cytology?

Q. What's the function of cytology?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Cytology is the study of cells, their structure, and function. The importance of cytology lies in its ability to provide an in-depth understanding into how a particular organism functions at a cellular level. It enables us to gain insights into how diseases are formed and spread; helps detect abnormalities; provides crucial information for diagnosis as well as other treatments.

At its core, cytology involves examining specimens collected from living organisms or tissues under a microscope - typically this includes taking cell samples or cultures from blood or tissue biopsies, urine sediment analysis etc., depending on the application at hand. This technique can be employed for screening purposes such as diagnosing infections, monitoring fertility health issues in women, identifying genetic problems and even cancerous tumors among others.

When looking under the microscope one can obtain various kinds of information about each cell’s anatomy - including shape and size - as well as determining its coloration (or staining). In addition to that there are specialized techniques such as flow cytometry which enable scientists to identify certain markers on the surface of cells involved with disease states like leukaemia/lymphoma among others.

Alongside all these detailed microstructural features, further observations regarding mitosis (the process by which chromosomes segregate during reproduction) can also be studied using advanced high powered microscopes such as electron microscopes that allow researchers to view ultrafine details within cells themselves (e.g., organelles present inside them). Through careful examination provides invaluable insight into key biological processes happening on a molecular level within our bodies- helping medical professionals make more informed decisions when it comes diagnose diseases accurately while enabling doctors prescribe suitable treatments accordingly afterwards too!