Question

Fetal cell sorting is a(n)

a. method of obtaining fetal cells through amniocentesis.
b. method of obtaining fetal cells through chorionic villus sampling.
c. procedure for detecting and separating fetal cells from maternal blood cells.
d. invasive procedure that allows a physician to directly take blood from the fetus to analyze for genetic conditions.
e. method where a fetus who has a genetic condition can be treated before birth by providing it with healthy fetal cells.

Answer 1

Fetal cell sorting is a non-invasive method used to separate fetal cells from maternal blood for genetic analysis, often utilizing fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS).

Step-by-step explanation:

Fetal cell sorting is a procedure for detecting and separating fetal cells from maternal blood cells. This procedure is particularly significant in the context of prenatal diagnosis, providing a non-invasive method to assess the health and genetic status of a fetus. Techniques such as fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) are instrumental in sorting cells.

This advanced method involves the use of flow cytometry where cells are stained with fluorescent dyes, and the live cells can be distinguished from the dead cells based on the fluorescence. Cells of interest, in this case fetal cells, are sorted from the unwanted cells, enabling genetic analysis or even the potential for future therapeutic treatments.