Introductory Genetics
GENE240
,Cytogenetics, Mitosis and
Meiosis
• Cytogenetics (cell genetics) is the study of chromosomes and their
inheritance, especially as applied to medical genetics.
• Chromosomes are microscopic structures containing DNA that reside
within the nucleus of a cell.
• During cell division, these structures become condensed and are visi
with a microscope.
• Special staining techniques can be used to assess the number and
structure of a person’s chromosomes as part of diagnostic testing.
• The number and/or structure of chromosomes is known to be altere
in certain genetic diseases.
, • Cytogenetics is also concerned with how the chromosomes relate to cell
behavior, particularly to their behavior during mitosis and meiosis.
• Techniques used include karyotyping, analysis of G-banded chromosomes,
cytogenetic banding techniques - fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH),
well as molecular cytogenetics such comparative genomic hybridization
(CGH).
• Cytogenetic technologists are lab specialists who prepare, examine, and
analyze chromosomes in patients’ DNA to learn about the relationship
between genetics and health.
• They work with doctors to help diagnose and treat a variety of genetic disea
such as congenital disorders, blood disorders, tumors, and birth defects.
GENE240
,Cytogenetics, Mitosis and
Meiosis
• Cytogenetics (cell genetics) is the study of chromosomes and their
inheritance, especially as applied to medical genetics.
• Chromosomes are microscopic structures containing DNA that reside
within the nucleus of a cell.
• During cell division, these structures become condensed and are visi
with a microscope.
• Special staining techniques can be used to assess the number and
structure of a person’s chromosomes as part of diagnostic testing.
• The number and/or structure of chromosomes is known to be altere
in certain genetic diseases.
, • Cytogenetics is also concerned with how the chromosomes relate to cell
behavior, particularly to their behavior during mitosis and meiosis.
• Techniques used include karyotyping, analysis of G-banded chromosomes,
cytogenetic banding techniques - fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH),
well as molecular cytogenetics such comparative genomic hybridization
(CGH).
• Cytogenetic technologists are lab specialists who prepare, examine, and
analyze chromosomes in patients’ DNA to learn about the relationship
between genetics and health.
• They work with doctors to help diagnose and treat a variety of genetic disea
such as congenital disorders, blood disorders, tumors, and birth defects.
