Final answer:
Amniocentesis is a prenatal medical procedure used to test for chromosome or metabolic disorders in a fetus. It involves withdrawing a sample of amniotic fluid and examining the fetal chromosomes for abnormalities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amniocentesis is a prenatal medical procedure where a sample of amniotic fluid is withdrawn by syringe and tested for chromosome or metabolic disorders. The procedure involves extracting a few fetal cells from the fluid surrounding the fetus and examining the fetal chromosomes. Amniocentesis is used to determine if the fetus has any genetic abnormalities.