How Do You Spell CYTOPATHIC EFFECT?

Pronunciation: [sˌa͡ɪtəpˈaθɪk ɪfˈɛkt] (IPA)

The word "cytopathic effect" is pronounced as saɪtəʊpæθɪk ɛfɛkt. The spelling of this word follows the rules of English phonetics, where each letter represent a unique sound. "Cyto" refers to cells, "pathic" refers to disease, and "effect" refers to the observable changes caused by a disease on cells. Therefore, "cytopathic effect" refers to the changes that occur in cells when they are affected by a disease. This term is commonly used in microbiology and virology to describe the ability of viruses to cause damage to cells.

CYTOPATHIC EFFECT Meaning and Definition

1. Cytopathic effect (CPE) refers to the noticeable changes or alterations in the structure and function of cells caused by a virus, toxin, or other pathological agents. It is a term commonly used in virology and pathology to describe the observable effects of infections on host cells.

   CPE manifests as a variety of morphological changes in infected cells, including cell rounding, fusion, enlargement, shrinkage, or detachment from the growth surface. Other visible effects may include the formation of inclusion bodies within the cells, changes in cell metabolism, alteration in cellular organelles, and disruption of normal cell functions. These changes result from the specific activity of the infecting agent on the host cell's physiology and structure.

   The observation of cytopathic effects is a crucial aspect of diagnostic virology as these effects can aid in the identification and classification of viruses. It helps in distinguishing between different viral strains, determining viral growth preferences, assessing the efficacy of antiviral drugs, and studying the mechanisms of viral pathogenesis.

   Cytopathic effects are often observed and studied in cell culture systems where cells are grown in vitro and infected with a specific virus or exposed to different pathological agents. The resulting morphological changes are examined and analyzed using various microscopic techniques to characterize the impact of the agent on cellular structure and function.

   Therefore, cytopathic effect is an essential concept in understanding the consequences of viral infections on host cells and plays a significant role in virological research, diagnosis, and the development of antiviral treatments.

Etymology of CYTOPATHIC EFFECT

The term "cytopathic effect" (CPE) originates from the fusion of two words: "cyto" and "pathic".

1. "Cyto" comes from the Greek word "kytos", which means "cell". This root is commonly used in biological terms related to cells, such as cytology (the study of cells) and cytoplasm (the substance within the cell).

2. "Pathic" is derived from the Greek word "pathos", which means "suffering" or "disease". This root is used in numerous medical and pathological terms like neuropathy (disease or dysfunction of the nervous system) and psychopathology (the study of mental disorders).

When combined, the term "cytopathic" refers to anything related to cellular damage or changes caused by a pathological process or disease.