[Information value of light scattering parameters in cell study (a review of the literature)]

Different methods of light scattering measurements for cell suspension and cells in flow are reviewed. The intensity of light scattered at different angles suggests information about the cell size, the nucleus to cell diameter ratio, the thickness of surface membrane, the changes in the internal cell structure state, and about the heterogeneity of cell population. The efficiency of information obtained from the turbidity measurements depends on the geometry of the spectrophotometer. Measurements made with diaphragms allow us to get information about the mean size of biological particles, their form, refractive index, concentration etc. The main advantages of light scattering methods are their high sensitivity, a possibility to use the same species before and after the experiment, and a compatibility with other methods.