Cytogenetics

The study of chromosomes, which are long strands of DNA and protein that contain most of the genetic information in a cell. Cytogenetics involves testing samples of tissue, blood, or bone marrow in a laboratory to look for changes in chromosomes, including broken, missing, rearranged, or extra chromosomes. Changes in certain chromosomes may be a sign of a genetic disease or condition or some types of cancer. Cytogenetics may be used to help diagnose a disease or condition, plan treatment, or find out how well treatment is working.

Structures of DNA strands and protein that contain most of the genetic information in a cell. We can visualize chromosomes in metaphase during the cell cycle. Cytogenetics refers to the study of tissue, blood, blood marrow, or culture cells in a laboratory, using banding or manipulating techniques to look for changes in the chromosomes, including broken, missing, rearranged, or extra chromosomes. Changes in the chromosomes may be a sign of a genetic disease or condition. Cytogenetics may be used to help diagnose, plan a treatment, or find out how well a treatment is working.

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA). Mitochondria are structures within cells that convert the energy from food into a form that cells can use.