Cytology - what is it?

Cytology – what is it? For full disclosure, this term should refer to the Greek language, because he is. Translated from the ancient Greek “KITOS" cell, “logo” doctrine. So, Cytology – what is it? The science of cells. If you expand the topic in more detail, that is to say, she is studying their structure and principles of functioning.

The History and development of science

The First microscope was invented in the mid-seventeenth century. In fact, thanks to this device and there Cytology. What does it mean? The fact that observing living organisms through a primitive design of a magnifying glass, the Englishman Robert Hooke first discovered that they all consist of leaving microparticles. He called them cells. A decade later, another researcher, Anthony Vann Leeuwenhoek - discovered that all cells have an orderly internal structure and certain patterns of functioning. He also belongs to the opening of the cores. However, the structure of the cell and its functioning for a long time hampered by the weak development of the microscopes. The following significant steps were taken already in the mid-nineteenth century, when much was improved technique. The most important results of Cytology of this period, as science is the creation of the cell theory and the discovery of protoplasm.

Cell theory

Using the accumulated to this period of empirical knowledge, two biologist-T. Schwann and M. Schleiden – literally at the same time offer the scientific community the idea of all plants and animals consist of similar units – cells. And each of these cells separately has the properties of a living organism. This idea of complex forms of life on Earth has had a major impact on the further development of biological science.

The Discovery of protoplasm

Another important achievement of scientists in this field was the discovery and description of protoplasm-the substance that fills the cell and organisms which is a kind of environment for its structural bodies. Later, knowledge about the protoplasm was strengthened and slightly modified compared to the original. Today, this cellular medium called the cytoplasm.

Further development

Through the study of the cells in the second half of the nineteenth was opened discrete corpuscles contained in the nucleus - chromosomes. Their study, finding The fact that each species has a constant number of chromosomes that the nucleus is directly involved in reproduction, led to the discovery of the laws of genetic continuity. The next stage of development of Cytology was the study is the direct laws of genetic inheritance. The most important contribution to this field made by the Austrian scientist of the late nineteenth century by Gregor Mendel.

Cytology – what is modern science?

In Fact, the development of technical capabilities and scientific methodology did Cytology by the middle of the XX century one of the major areas of biological knowledge. Modern methods of Cytology are being used in breeding and developing new plant species useful to humans, the study of cancer and opportunities to combat them, growing artificial organs and so on.