What is the difference between cytology and histology? If you have ever asked this question, this cytology vs. histology article is for you. We will answer this and more questions about these words.
Cytology studies the chemistry, structure, and functions of biological cells in plants and animals. It is a branch of biology and medicine that studies the structure and function of plant and animal cells. On the other hand, histology explores microscopic tissue structures in plants and animals.
Cytology and histology are confusing terms because they are both areas in biology. Both specialties explore different life units’ chemistry, structure, and roles. This post will let you know more about these words, irrespective of whether you have come across the word for the first time or not.
Definitions Of Cytology And Histology
The best way to understand a new word is by learning its definition. Definitions are also the best way to differentiate words. However, some argue that definitions alone do not explain words adequately, especially their differences. Regardless, this argument does not state that definitions are irrelevant. So, while we intend to discuss other elements of these words, we will start with their definitions.
Definition Of Cytology
Cytology is the science of the basic forming structures (cells) of all living things (plants and animals). An example in a sentence is, “Cytology is the hardest subject I encountered.”
The same word refers to “the microscopic examination of plant and animal cells.” It involves the study of chemical compositions, functions, and structures of cells. For example, in a sentence, “I love cytology because it helps me understand cells in an in-depth manner.”
Some sources define cytology as “the branch of biology and medicine concerned with the structures and functions of animal and plant cells.” In a sentence, “Cytology allows you to get better cellular details for your biological studies.”
Definition Of Histology
Histology studies plant and animal tissues’ chemical compositions, functions, and structures. For example, in a sentence, “James failed the histology exam and had to go back to school in summer to compensate for his low grades.”
The word also means “the study of the functions and structures of microscopic anatomies of plants and animals.” These microscopic structures include organs, tissues, and cells in plants and animals. Histology studies feature the examination of cells and tissues under a microscope.
An example in a sentence is: “Mr. Barnes gave us hundreds of pages worth of histology notes to study before the next semester.”
You can also define histology as “a branch of biological science that treats microscopic structures of animals and vegetable tissues.” Let’s look at an example in a sentence, “Jose is excited to know that histologists study microscopic plant and animal tissues.”
How To Properly Use Cytology And Histology In A Sentence
While defining words helps you understand them, it does not explain how you can use the words in sentences. For this reason, we prepared the following section featuring tips and guidelines for using the terms cytology and histology in sentences.
How To Use The Word Cytology
Use the word cytology as a noun in a sentence in the following contexts:
- Referring to the study of plant and animal cells. For example, “I have always found cytology quite interesting.”
- Referring to a subject focusing on animal and plant cells. For example, “Most of my classmates failed the midterm cytology exam.”
How to Use the Word Histology
Use this word as a noun when referring to a biological study of animal and plant tissues.
NOTE: Histology and cytology can be countable or uncountable nouns. So, in general contexts, the plural form is still “cytology” or “histology.” However, in specific contexts, you can use the plural form, “cytologies” or “histologies.” For example, “We studied various types of histologies in college.”
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Cytology Vs. Histology: The Comparison
One thing that these words have in common is the forming element “-logy.” This word-forming element means “a speaking, discourse, treatise, doctrine, science, or theory.” It comes from the Greek term “-logia,” meaning “to tell, speak.” So, words with this forming element often denote a science, discourse, subject, or theory.” Therefore, since these words have the word-forming element “-logy,” they are both words of discourse, trilogy, science, or a subject.
Another similarity between these words is that they are both branches of biology. Additionally, both biology branches examine animal and plant cells. However, the definition explains the following key differences between cytology and histology:
- Histology focuses on the overall microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues, while cytology examines microscopic or simple cells only
- Histology is a more focused subject than cytology
- Histology examines the specific architecture of a particular tissue, while cytology examines cellular structures only
- Cytology has three primary categories; cell biology, cytogenetics, and cytopathology. Also, cytology features two branches; exfoliative and intervention cytology.
Cytology delivers more profound cellular details than histology
Besides the differences based on the definitions, below are other elements that explain the differences and similarities between histology and cytology:
Pronunciations And Syllables
Pronunciations and syllables often come together because syllables are the founding elements of pronunciation. A syllable is a phonological unit containing one or two sounds, including a vowel. So, the word cytology has four syllables, “cy-tol-o-gy.” Therefore, its proper phonological pronunciation is “/sahy-tol-uh-jee/.”
In contrast, the word histology has four syllables, “his-tol-o-gy.” So, the correct phonological pronunciation is “/his-tol-uh-jee/.” The only difference between these pronunciations is the first syllable.
The Origin Of These Words
The word cytology emerged in 1857 from the forming elements “cyto,” which means “cell,” and “-logy,” meaning “studies or science.” On the other hand, the word histology emerged in 1847 from the forming elements “histo,” meaning “tissue,” and “-logy,” meaning “science or studies.”
Throughout their existence, these words have maintained their meanings. So, their history and etymology are quite simple.
List Of Examples Of Cytology And Histology Use In Sentences
As mentioned above, definitions do not adequately explain new words and their differences. So, most people usually seek sentence examples so they can gain a better understanding of a word. For this reason, we have prepared the following simple sentences featuring the words cytology and histology to give you a better understanding of what our context is all about.
Example sentences of the word cytology
- The cytology observations revealed detailed results that will help future researchers understand and expound on the study.
- New developments in cytology explain why cell structures differ in plants and animals.
- Cytology was my least favorite subject in college.
- Cytology is currently a firmly established field in cellular pathology in US and UK science institutions.
- Jane printed over a thousand pages worth of cytology notes for her classmates.
Example sentences of the word histology
- The histology observations show moderate chronic cholecystitis in the cell and tissue samples.
- Mr. Mickelson teaches histology and anatomical structure classes at the University of California.
- The researchers announced that they would be conducting three months of research on the histology of sinus mucosa in diseases.
- One of the hardest lessons in Biology was histology.
- I finally passed the histology exams after three failed attempts.
Conclusion
Histology and cytology are technical terms, and you may not hear them often in regular conversations. However, this is also good because it makes applications straightforward. For instance, there are no informal or hidden meanings when it comes to the applications of the words histology and cytology.
The information in this article will come in handy even if you do not find yourself in technical settings where you can apply these words. Please take some time to practice using the terms to avoid errors that you can avoid.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.