Destruction of tissue by using extreme cold, often by using liquid nitrogen.

• A. Biopsy
• B. Capillary Action
• C. Colposcope
• D. Cryosurgery

Answer: (D)

Destruction of tissue by extreme cold is cryosurgery. This procedure uses very cold agents, often liquid nitrogen, to freeze targeted tissue. Freezing forms ice crystals inside cells and disrupts cell membranes and small blood vessels, leading to cell death and removal of the treated tissue. It’s used for removing warts, certain skin lesions, and some precancerous cervical tissue, with limited damage to surrounding areas. After freezing, the tissue thaws and the damaged cells are shed over time.

Biopsy is simply taking a tissue sample for examination, not destruction. Capillary action describes liquid movement in small tubes due to adhesion and cohesion, not a therapeutic destruction of tissue. A colposcope is a device used to visually examine the cervix, not to destroy tissue.