Final answer:
The mitotic index is used to assess the proliferation rate of cells in pathology, indicating how fast cells are dividing, which can be a sign of conditions like cancer. The correct option is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mitotic index is used in pathology to assess the proliferation rate of cells. This index represents the fraction of cells in mitosis within a given population of cells.
Pathologists calculate it by counting the number of cells undergoing mitosis (prophase, metaphase, anaphase, and telophase) and dividing that number by the total number of cells observed. A high mitotic index indicates rapid cell division, which can be a hallmark of cancerous tissues where cells divide uncontrollably.
However, it needs to be interpreted within the context of normal biological processes where some cell proliferation is expected.