Genetics is a branch of biology that deals with studying the characteristics that are inherited by the next generation through genomes. There are two sub-branches into which genetics can be classified, namely:
- Cytogenetics
- Molecular genetics
Both fields of study are crucial in understanding genetic diseases, therapy, diagnosis and evolution. Molecular genetics is the study of chromosomes and DNA at the molecular level using DNA technology, whereas cytogenetics is the study of the number and structure of chromosomes through microscopic analysis. Molecular genetics studies segments of DNA and genes at the molecular level, whereas cytogenetics is the study of how chromosomes relate to the behaviour of cells during the cell division process.
Molecular genetics utilizes the mechanisms of DNA technology in order to investigate gene mutations. Cytogenetics includes the microscopic examination of chromosomal abnormalities. For example, an increase or a decrease in the number of chromosomes or translocation of a chromosome to another. One of the key components inside the nucleus of the cells is the chromosomes that act as vectors of inheritance. Cytogenetics deals with the study of the relationship between modifications in chromosomes and genetic disorders in humans while in molecular genetics, new technologies that combine molecular techniques and cytogenetic concepts are used to study genetic disorders.
Difference Between Cytogenetics And Molecular Genetics
The main difference between both fields lies in their focus. Listed below are the differences:
| Molecular genetics | Cytogenetics |
| Study of genes using DNA techniques and technology at the level of DNA. | It is the study of numerical and structural variations in the chromosomes with the use of microscopic techniques. |
| Some of the techniques used in molecular genetics are – DNA amplification, DNA isolation, gene screens, gene cloning etc. | FISH, aCGH, and Karyotyping are a few of the techniques used in cytogenetics. |
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Also Read:
| Recombinant DNA Technology Process |
| DNA Cloning |
| Difference Between Gene and DNA |
| Molecular Basis of Inheritance |
| Chromosome |
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