American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

"Starring-in" is a method used for what purpose in cytogenetics?

1. Reading chromosome patterns

2. Immobilizing the tissue in the culture vessel

3. Harvesting cell samples

4. Analyzing DNA sequences

The correct answer is: Immobilizing the tissue in the culture vessel

The technique known as "starring-in" is primarily used for immobilizing the tissue in the culture vessel during cytogenetic procedures. This process involves creating a stabilizing environment for the cells being cultured, ensuring that the tissues maintain their structural integrity while allowing for the growth and division necessary for subsequent analysis. Proper immobilization is crucial as it affects the quality of chromosome preparations and ultimately the accuracy of cytogenetic analysis. In cytogenetics, it is essential for cells to be well-anchored to the culture substrate to facilitate optimal growth conditions. When tissues or cells are immobilized effectively, it contributes to better retrieval and examination of chromosome patterns, which is vital for diagnosing genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities. Other methods, such as harvesting cell samples or analyzing DNA sequences, require different techniques and approaches that do not specifically involve the "starring-in" method.