What is characterized by the study of the cellular and biochemical changes in tissues?

The study of cellular and biochemical changes in tissues is specifically referred to as Cellular Pathology. This area focuses on understanding the alterations at the cellular level that occur during disease processes. It examines how cells respond to injury, infection, and various disease states by analyzing their structure and function.

Cellular pathology is essential in understanding various diseases because it provides insights into the mechanisms that lead to tissue damage and dysfunction, which can guide diagnosis and treatment. By scrutinizing the cellular changes, pathologists can identify conditions like cancer, inflammatory diseases, and degenerative disorders at the most fundamental biological level.

In contrast, general pathology encompasses a broader range of study, including disease processes and mechanisms rather than just focusing on cellular aspects. Clinical pathology deals with laboratory analysis and the disease diagnosis based on the pathology of bodily fluids and tissues, while surgical pathology concentrates on examining tissues removed during surgery for diagnostic purposes. Each of these fields has its own unique focus, but they do not specifically concentrate on the cellular and biochemical changes in tissues to the extent that cellular pathology does.