Final answer:
Karyotype analysis, also known as Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), is a technique used to identify changes in chromosome structure in cancer cells. It can detect duplications, deletions, and translocations, providing insights into the genetic characteristics of cancer cells.
Step-by-step explanation:
Karyotype analysis, also known as Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH), is a technique used to determine whether a cancer cell has changes in chromosome structure, such as duplications or deletions. Geneticists can use karyotype analysis to identify genetic abnormalities in cancer cells. For example, they can pinpoint large deletions or insertions of DNA, as well as translocations, which occur when genetic material breaks from one chromosome and attaches to another. Translocations are implicated in certain cancers, like chronic myelogenous leukemia. By analyzing the karyotype, geneticists can gain valuable insights into the genetic characteristics of cancer cells.