A technique called flow cytometry is used by scientists and researchers to count or sort cells based on specific properties. By labeling cellular DNA with a fluorescent dye, flow cytometry can sort cells based on the amount of DNA present, thereby making it possible to distinguish between cells that are in different stages of the cell cycle. Flow cytometry is especially useful to the medical community because it can help with the diagnosis of certain types of cancers. Below is a typical set of data that you might obtain when running a flow cytometry experiment using a sample of healthy skin cells. Use this figure to help you answer the following questions. After reading the paragraph below, answer the questions that follow.
-In this sample of cells, what stage of the cell cycle are most of the cells in?
A) G1
B) S
C) G2
D) mitosis

Question

A technique called flow cytometry is used by scientists and researchers to count or sort cells based on specific properties. By labeling cellular DNA with a fluorescent dye, flow cytometry can sort cells based on the amount of DNA present, thereby making it possible to distinguish between cells that are in different stages of the cell cycle. Flow cytometry is especially useful to the medical community because it can help with the diagnosis of certain types of cancers. Below is a typical set of data that you might obtain when running a flow cytometry experiment using a sample of healthy skin cells. Use this figure to help you answer the following questions.  After reading the paragraph below, answer the questions that follow.
-In this sample of cells, what stage of the cell cycle are most of the cells in?
A) G1 
B) S 
C) G2 
D) mitosis

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The majority of cells in this sample are in the G1 stage of the cell cycle, as evidenced by the peak at around 200 Fluorescence Units (FU) on the x-axis. The second peak, at around 400 FU, represents cells in the G2/M phase, while the smaller peak at around 300 FU represents cells in the S phase. Therefore, the best choice is A) G1.

A Technique Called Flow Cytometry Is Used by Scientists and Researchers