Karyotype l Extended banding chromosome studies l Fluorescence
in situ hybridization (FISH) l Chromosomal microarray analysis
Chromosomes are stained to see them with a microscope. When
stained, the chromosomes look like strings with light and dark
bands. A karyotype refers to a photograph of the chomosomes of a
cell. The pairs of chromosomes are called a karyotype. A normal
female karyotype is written 46, XX, and a normal male karyotype
is written 46, XY. The standard analysis of the chromosomes
evaluates both the number and structure of the chromosomes, with
an accuracy of more than 99.9 percent. Chromosome analyses are
usually done from a blood sample (white blood cells), prenatal
specimen, skin biopsy, or other tissue sample. Chromosomes are
analyzed by specially trained healthcare personnel with advanced
cytogenetic technology and genetic degrees. Cytogenetics is the
study of chromosomes. In a karyotype, the chromosomes can look
bent or twisted. This is normal because of how they were sitting
on the slid