CG(ASCP) EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
(VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS)
LATEST 2026/2027
Q1. What effect does sodium heparin have on cells?
A) Swells cells
B) Removes water from cells
C) Stimulates mitotic activity
D) Precipitates nucleic acid
E) Prevents clotting
Correct Answer: E) Prevents clotting
Rationale: Sodium heparin is an anticoagulant used in specimen collection. Its primary effect on
cells is preventing clotting by inhibiting thrombin; it is generally least likely to be toxic to cells
compared to other additives like lithium heparin or sodium hydroxide .
Q2. The optimal temperature for transport of amniotic fluid specimens is:
A) 37°C
B) 40°C
C) 0°C
D) 22°C (Room temperature)
Correct Answer: D) 22°C (Room temperature)
Rationale: Amniotic fluid specimens for cytogenetic analysis should be transported at room
temperature (approximately 22°C) to maintain cell viability. Extreme temperatures can
compromise cell integrity and culture success .
Q3. A cytogenetic technologist notices that cells in culture are not adhering to the flask surface.
Which of the following should be checked first?
,A) CO₂ levels
B) Incubator temperature
C) Sterility of the media
D) Trypsin concentration and duration
Correct Answer: D) Trypsin concentration and duration
Rationale: Cells failing to adhere after subculture often result from over-trypsinization, which
damages cell surface proteins and prevents attachment. CO₂, temperature, and sterility are
important but are less likely to specifically cause detachment issues .
Q4. Which of the following reagents is used to arrest cells in metaphase for chromosome
analysis?
A) Trypsin
B) Colcemid
C) Hypotonic KCl
D) Methanol
Correct Answer: B) Colcemid
Rationale: Colcemid is a mitotic spindle poison that arrests cells in metaphase by preventing
spindle fiber formation. This maximizes the number of cells available for chromosome analysis .
Q5. A blood sample for cytogenetic analysis is received in a sodium heparin tube. The sample is
clotted. The technologist should:
A) Proceed with culture using the clotted sample
B) Use mechanical disruption to break up the clot
C) Reject the specimen as unacceptable
D) Add extra media to dissolve the clot
Correct Answer: C) Reject the specimen as unacceptable
, Rationale: Clotted blood specimens are unacceptable for cytogenetic culture because the
lymphocytes are trapped in the clot and cannot be successfully cultured. Rejection is the correct
action .
Q6. What is the recommended harvesting technique for a bone marrow specimen?
A) Direct harvest (in situ)
B) 24-hour culture with Colcemid
C) Synchronization with methotrexate
D) 72-hour PHA-stimulated culture
Correct Answer: A) Direct harvest (in situ)
Rationale: Bone marrow specimens are typically harvested directly (in situ) without prolonged
culture, as they contain rapidly dividing cells. This allows analysis of the immediate cytogenetic
status of the marrow .
Q7. During cell culture, mycoplasma contamination is suspected. Which of the following is the
most effective treatment?
A) Penicillin/streptomycin
B) BM-Cyclin (tiamulin and minocycline)
C) Amphotericin B
D) Gentamicin
Correct Answer: B) BM-Cyclin (tiamulin and minocycline)
Rationale: Mycoplasma contamination is a common cell culture problem. BM-Cyclin, a
combination of tiamulin and minocycline, is the most effective treatment .
Q8. Which of the following is the correct order of steps in a standard chromosome harvest?
A) Hypotonic treatment → Fixation → Colcemid → Cell suspension
B) Colcemid → Hypotonic treatment → Fixation → Cell suspension
C) Fixation → Hypotonic treatment → Colcemid → Cell suspension
D) Cell suspension → Colcemid → Fixation → Hypotonic treatment
(VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS)
LATEST 2026/2027
Q1. What effect does sodium heparin have on cells?
A) Swells cells
B) Removes water from cells
C) Stimulates mitotic activity
D) Precipitates nucleic acid
E) Prevents clotting
Correct Answer: E) Prevents clotting
Rationale: Sodium heparin is an anticoagulant used in specimen collection. Its primary effect on
cells is preventing clotting by inhibiting thrombin; it is generally least likely to be toxic to cells
compared to other additives like lithium heparin or sodium hydroxide .
Q2. The optimal temperature for transport of amniotic fluid specimens is:
A) 37°C
B) 40°C
C) 0°C
D) 22°C (Room temperature)
Correct Answer: D) 22°C (Room temperature)
Rationale: Amniotic fluid specimens for cytogenetic analysis should be transported at room
temperature (approximately 22°C) to maintain cell viability. Extreme temperatures can
compromise cell integrity and culture success .
Q3. A cytogenetic technologist notices that cells in culture are not adhering to the flask surface.
Which of the following should be checked first?
,A) CO₂ levels
B) Incubator temperature
C) Sterility of the media
D) Trypsin concentration and duration
Correct Answer: D) Trypsin concentration and duration
Rationale: Cells failing to adhere after subculture often result from over-trypsinization, which
damages cell surface proteins and prevents attachment. CO₂, temperature, and sterility are
important but are less likely to specifically cause detachment issues .
Q4. Which of the following reagents is used to arrest cells in metaphase for chromosome
analysis?
A) Trypsin
B) Colcemid
C) Hypotonic KCl
D) Methanol
Correct Answer: B) Colcemid
Rationale: Colcemid is a mitotic spindle poison that arrests cells in metaphase by preventing
spindle fiber formation. This maximizes the number of cells available for chromosome analysis .
Q5. A blood sample for cytogenetic analysis is received in a sodium heparin tube. The sample is
clotted. The technologist should:
A) Proceed with culture using the clotted sample
B) Use mechanical disruption to break up the clot
C) Reject the specimen as unacceptable
D) Add extra media to dissolve the clot
Correct Answer: C) Reject the specimen as unacceptable
, Rationale: Clotted blood specimens are unacceptable for cytogenetic culture because the
lymphocytes are trapped in the clot and cannot be successfully cultured. Rejection is the correct
action .
Q6. What is the recommended harvesting technique for a bone marrow specimen?
A) Direct harvest (in situ)
B) 24-hour culture with Colcemid
C) Synchronization with methotrexate
D) 72-hour PHA-stimulated culture
Correct Answer: A) Direct harvest (in situ)
Rationale: Bone marrow specimens are typically harvested directly (in situ) without prolonged
culture, as they contain rapidly dividing cells. This allows analysis of the immediate cytogenetic
status of the marrow .
Q7. During cell culture, mycoplasma contamination is suspected. Which of the following is the
most effective treatment?
A) Penicillin/streptomycin
B) BM-Cyclin (tiamulin and minocycline)
C) Amphotericin B
D) Gentamicin
Correct Answer: B) BM-Cyclin (tiamulin and minocycline)
Rationale: Mycoplasma contamination is a common cell culture problem. BM-Cyclin, a
combination of tiamulin and minocycline, is the most effective treatment .
Q8. Which of the following is the correct order of steps in a standard chromosome harvest?
A) Hypotonic treatment → Fixation → Colcemid → Cell suspension
B) Colcemid → Hypotonic treatment → Fixation → Cell suspension
C) Fixation → Hypotonic treatment → Colcemid → Cell suspension
D) Cell suspension → Colcemid → Fixation → Hypotonic treatment
