Karyotype is used to classify chromosomes by size, shape, and other characteristics. A karyotype is a complete set of chromosomes in a cell, arranged and stained in such a way that they can be easily identified and studied. Karyotypes are typically prepared from white blood cells, and they can be used to diagnose a variety of genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome. Karyotypes can also be used to study the evolution of species, and to track genetic changes over time.
The process of karyotyping involves several steps. First, the white blood cells are collected from the patient and then treated with a chemical called colchicine, which stops the cells from dividing. The cells are then fixed with a preservative, and they are stained with a dye that makes the chromosomes visible. The chromosomes are then cut into pieces and arranged in order of size, from largest to smallest. The karyotype is then photographed and analyzed.