Cytometry
Encyclopedia
Cytometry is a general name for a group of biological
methods used to measure various parameters of cell
s. Parameters which can be measured by cytometric methods are cell size, the stage of the cell cycle
, the DNA
content of the cell, the existence or absence of specific protein
s on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm
, to name but a few.
. An alternative technique that can be used is laser scanning cytometry.
beam. Image cytometry allows in-depth analysis of the shape and morphology of individual cells, whereas in flow cytometry a large number of cells can be analyzed quickly, albeit without detailed information as to the morphology of individual cells.
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
methods used to measure various parameters of cell
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
s. Parameters which can be measured by cytometric methods are cell size, the stage of the cell cycle
Cell cycle
The cell cycle, or cell-division cycle, is the series of events that takes place in a cell leading to its division and duplication . In cells without a nucleus , the cell cycle occurs via a process termed binary fission...
, the DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
content of the cell, the existence or absence of specific protein
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
s on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm
Cytoplasm
The cytoplasm is a small gel-like substance residing between the cell membrane holding all the cell's internal sub-structures , except for the nucleus. All the contents of the cells of prokaryote organisms are contained within the cytoplasm...
, to name but a few.
Image cytometry
In image cytometry the cell samples are fixed and static; they are usually analyzed by means of microscopyMicroscopy
Microscopy is the technical field of using microscopes to view samples and objects that cannot be seen with the unaided eye...
. An alternative technique that can be used is laser scanning cytometry.
Flow cytometry
In flow cytometry a large number of cells flow in liquid and are analyzed by a laserLaser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
beam. Image cytometry allows in-depth analysis of the shape and morphology of individual cells, whereas in flow cytometry a large number of cells can be analyzed quickly, albeit without detailed information as to the morphology of individual cells.