Flow Cytometry 101

What is the purpose of flow cytometry?

What components are found in a flow cytometer?

What happens to the sample in flow cytometry?

What is detected by detectors in flow cytometry?

What is a histogram plot used for in flow cytometry?

What can researchers understand about a cell using forward and side scatter data in flow cytometry?

How many different colors can some flow cytometers detect at the same time?

What is a dot plot used for in flow cytometry?

What is the stream of saline solution used for in flow cytometry?

What is the purpose of the computer system in flow cytometry?

Flow cytometry is an experimental technique used to count and analyze individual cells within a heterogeneous population of cells.
The technique is quantitative and can be analyzed using specific software programs.
The flow cytometer contains several components, including lasers, optics, detectors, and a computer system.
The sample is mixed into a stream of saline solution and led through a narrowing channel before passing through the laser at the "interrogation point."
The amount of forward and side scattered light is detected by detectors and converted to voltage pulses.
The computer converts the data into a histogram plot with the amount of forward scattered light on the x-axis and the number of cells on the y-axis.
The analysis of forward and side scatter data allows researchers to understand a cell's size, shape, and complexity and divide the population of cells into individual populations.
Flow cytometers can detect emitted light from fluorescent molecules and quantify the relative amount of a fluorophore within a cell.
Flow cytometers can detect light emitted from multiple fluorophores in the same sample, and some can detect up to 18 different colors at the same time.
The data can be presented to the researcher in the form of a histogram or a dot plot, enabling the analysis of individual populations of cells within a heterogeneous mix of cells in the sample.

Test your knowledge of flow cytometry with this quiz! Learn about the components of a flow cytometer, how cells are analyzed, and how researchers can use this experimental technique to understand cell populations. Brush up on your understanding of forward and side scatter data, fluorescent detection, and data analysis. This quiz is perfect for researchers, students, and anyone interested in the exciting world of flow cytometry.