FLOW CYTOMETRY Meaning and
Definition
-
Flow cytometry is a powerful laboratory technique used to analyze and measure various physical and chemical characteristics of individual cells or particles in a fluid suspension. It is primarily used in the field of biology and medicine to identify and characterize cells, particularly in the study of immunology and cancer research.
The basic principle of flow cytometry involves suspending cells in a fluid medium and passing them through a specialized flow cytometer instrument. As cells pass through the machine, they flow in a single file and are individually analyzed by passing through a laser beam. The laser beam illuminates the cells, causing them to emit fluorescent light. Detectors in the flow cytometer instrument then capture this emitted light and provide quantitative information about the cells.
Flow cytometry allows for the measurement of several characteristics of cells, including their size, granularity, and complexity. Additionally, it can discern specific properties of cells such as their DNA content, membrane potential, enzyme activity, and the presence or absence of specific proteins or surface markers. This high-resolution analysis is achieved through the use of specific fluorescent dyes and antibodies that bind to these cellular components.
The data obtained from flow cytometry analysis is typically presented in the form of scatter plots or histograms, providing valuable information about cellular populations and their heterogeneity. This technique is widely used in clinical diagnostics, drug development, stem cell research, and immunophenotyping, among others, making it an essential tool for biomedical research and medical applications.
Common Misspellings for FLOW CYTOMETRY
- dlow cytometry
- clow cytometry
- vlow cytometry
- glow cytometry
- tlow cytometry
- rlow cytometry
- fkow cytometry
- fpow cytometry
- foow cytometry
- fliw cytometry
- flkw cytometry
- fllw cytometry
- flpw cytometry
- fl0w cytometry
- fl9w cytometry
- floq cytometry
- floa cytometry
- flos cytometry
- floe cytometry
- flo3 cytometry
Etymology of FLOW CYTOMETRY
The term "flow cytometry" has Greek origins.
The word "flow" comes from the Greek word "phaînō" (φαίνω), which means "to bring to light" or "to appear". It refers to the flow of cells or particles through a fluidic system during the analysis.
The word "cytometry" is derived from the Greek word "kýtos" (κύτος), which means "cell", and the suffix "-metry". "Cytometry" thus refers to the measurement or analysis of cells.
When combined, "flow cytometry" essentially refers to the method of analyzing cells as they flow through a fluidic system.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
