Cytology is a science that studies cellular interaction and cell structure, which, in turn, is a fundamental component of any living organism. The term itself comes from the ancient Greek concepts "kitos" and "logos", meaning, respectively, a cage and a doctrine.
The emergence and early development of science
Cytology is one of a whole galaxy of sciences that spun off from biology in modern times. The forerunner of its occurrence was the invention of the microscope in the 17th century. It was by observing life through such a primitive construction that the Englishman Robert Hooke first discovered that all living organisms are composed of cells. Thus, he laid the foundation for what cytology studies today. Ten years later, another scientist - Anthony Leeuwenhoek - discovered that cells have a strictly ordered structure and patterns of functioning. He also owns the discovery of the existence of nuclei. However, for a long timethe understanding of the cell and its functioning was hampered by the unsatisfactory quality of the microscopes of that time. The next important steps were taken in the middle of the 19th century. Then the technique was significantly improved, which made it possible to create new concepts, to which cytology owes its intensive development. This is, first of all, the discovery of protoplasm and the emergence of cell theory.
The advent of cell theory
Based on the empirical knowledge accumulated by that time, biologists M. Schleiden and T. Schwann almost simultaneously proposed to the scientific world the idea that all animal and plant cells are similar to each other, and that each such cell in itself possesses all properties and functions of a living organism. This understanding of the complex life forms on the planet had a significant impact on the path taken by cytology. This also applies to its modern development.
Discovery of protoplasm
The next important achievement in the mentioned field of knowledge was the discovery and description of the properties of protoplasm. It is a substance that fills cellular organisms, and also represents a medium for the organs of cells. Later, the knowledge of scientists about this substance evolved. Today it is called the cytoplasm.
Further development and discovery of genetic inheritance
In the second half of the 19th century, discrete little bodies were discovered that are contained in the cell nucleus. They were called chromosomes. Their studyrevealed to humanity the laws of genetic continuity. The most important contribution to this field was noted at the end of the 19th century by the Austrian Gregor Mendel.
State of Science
Cytology is one of the most important branches of biological knowledge for the modern scientific community. The development of scientific methodology and technical capabilities made it such. Methods of modern cytology are widely used in research useful to people, for example, in the study of cancer, the cultivation of artificial organs, as well as in breeding, genetics, breeding of new species of animals and plants, and so on.
