Question

Phytohemagglutinin is added to a cell culture when preparing cells for karyotyping. The purpose of the phytohemagglutinin treatment is to?

1) Promote cell growth
2) Inhibit cell division
3) Induce chromosomal abnormalities
4) Enhance cell adhesion

Answer 1

Phytohemagglutinin is added to a cell culture in karyotyping to promote cell growth, allowing cells to reach metaphase where chromosomes are visible for examination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The purpose of adding phytohemagglutinin to a cell culture when preparing cells for karyotyping is to promote cell growth. Phytohemagglutinin is a mitogen that stimulates cell division. In karyotyping, it is essential to have cells in metaphase of cell division, where the chromosomes are most visible under a microscope.

After the cells have divided, other chemicals like colchicine are used to stop cell division so the chromosomes can be examined.