Q. What is bacteriology and cytology?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Bacteriology and cytology are two specialized disciplines of study in the medical field that focus on the microscopic examination of living organisms, including different types of bacteria and cells.
Bacteriology specifically deals with the identification and classification of bacteria, focusing primarily on their structure, function, genetics, ecology, biochemistry, metabolism and evolution. It also plays an important role in diagnosing many illnesses by looking for specific bacterial species associated with infections or other diseases. Bacteria can cause diseases like tuberculosis (TB), salmonellosis and Legionnaires' disease.
Cytology is a branch of biology which studies cells – the basic units of life - as well as their structure and function. Cytologists work to understand how cells divide into two daughter cells during mitosis (the process where one cell divides into two genetically identical daughter cells) or meiosis (the type of cell division responsible for generating egg/sperm). They also research how various external factors affect a cell's growth cycle known as the "cell cycle" which includes interphase (where the cell prepares itself for division) followed by mitosis which includes prophase (when chromosomes condense), metaphase (when they align in middle), anaphase (during when they separate) ending with telophase (signalling completion). Other areas examined include why some specific gene mutations lead to cancerous changes such as uncontrolled growth or invasion into neighbouring tissues.
This knowledge has helped scientists develop treatments such as chemotherapy drugs designed to target certain abnormalities seen only at a cellular level not detectable by our naked eye but visible through a microscope allowing doctors to fight off this disease more effectively than ever before!
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