What does cytology primarily study?

Cytology primarily studies the structure and function of cells. This branch of biology focuses specifically on understanding the cellular components, organization, and processes that occur within cells. By examining individual cells and their characteristics, cytologists can gain insights into their role in health and disease, cellular pathology, and the underlying mechanisms of various conditions.

This discipline is distinct from others that address related but different scopes of study. For instance, while tissue function is essential, that falls under histology, which examines groups of cells and their interactions within the tissue framework. The development of organs is studied in embryology, focusing on how organs form over time. Physiology encompasses broader systemic functions of the body, which includes how organs and systems perform in conjunction. Thus, cytology's specific focus on cells distinguishes it as the correct answer for this question.