What is the scientific study of cells called in classical biological terminology?

Introduction / Context:
Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life, and understanding them is central to all of biology. Over time, a specific branch of biology emerged to focus on cell structure, function and behaviour. This question asks for the classical term used in textbooks for the scientific study of cells, as distinct from other branches that study tissues, organs or whole organisms.

Given Data / Assumptions:

We are asked for the name of the branch of biology devoted to studying cells. Options include similar sounding terms such as cytology, cell biology and others. We assume standard school and undergraduate biology terminology. Classical naming often uses Greek roots with the suffix logy for study.

Concept / Approach:
The term cytology comes from the Greek word kytos, meaning cell or hollow container, and logy, meaning study. Thus, cytology is literally the study of cells. It traditionally focuses on cell structure, organelles, cell division and microscopic appearance. In modern usage, the broader term cell biology is often used to cover both structural and molecular aspects of cells, but the specific classical MCQ answer for study of cells is cytology. Histology is the study of tissues as a whole rather than individual cells, and morphology is the study of form and structure of organisms or their parts.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the question is about the scientific study of cells, not tissues or organs. Step 2: Recall that the Greek root cyto refers to cell and logy refers to study, giving the term cytology. Step 3: Distinguish this from histology, which studies tissues composed of groups of cells. Step 4: Recognise that morphology addresses overall external and internal form of organisms or body parts. Step 5: Note that while cell biology is a valid modern phrase, classical exam questions expect cytology as the specific term for the study of cells.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify by recalling common textbook chapter titles such as cytology and cell structure, where the focus is clearly on cell organelles, cell division and microscopic details. Histology chapters, in contrast, deal with epithelial tissue, connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. Modern research institutes may refer to departments of cell biology, but traditional zoology and botany textbooks still emphasise the term cytology for cell study. This pattern in educational material supports cytology as the correct term for this question.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Cellogy is not a standard scientific term and appears to be an incorrect or invented word. Histology studies tissues, which are groups of similar cells working together, not cells individually as the primary focus. Morphology covers the overall form and external structure of organisms, such as body shapes and organ arrangements. Cell biology is a broader, newer term that includes molecular and physiological aspects of cells, but in classical one word MCQs, cytology is the precise term for the study of cells, making the other options less accurate in this context.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes pick histology because it is commonly taught alongside cytology and also involves microscopes. Another pitfall is to overthink modern terminology and choose cell biology, forgetting that exams often prefer traditional Greek based names. To avoid these mistakes, remember a simple mapping: cytology equals cells, histology equals tissues and morphology equals form. Keeping these distinctions clear will help you handle many related questions in anatomy and physiology sections.

Final Answer:
The classical branch of biology that deals specifically with the study of cells is called cytology.