Final answer:
Immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry are two modern techniques for identifying anterior pituitary cells, using specific antibodies to detect different hormones and differentiating between cell types based on protein presence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two modern techniques used to identify the cells of the anterior pituitary gland are Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and flow cytometry. These techniques differentiate cell types by employing specific antibodies to detect the presence of different hormones produced by anterior pituitary cells. Immunohistochemistry utilizes labeled antibodies that bind to the hormones within tissue sections, and the binding is visualized using a colorimetric or a fluorescence microscope. This method allows for the assessment of the localization of the hormones within the gland. Flow cytometry involves labeling cells with fluorescent antibodies to surface or intracellular proteins and passing them through a laser beam. The labeled cells emit fluorescence which is then detected and quantified. This quantification helps distinguish between different cell types based on the presence and amount of the targeted proteins.