This document defines quantum dots as fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals between 10-100 nm in size that are made up of elements from Groups 12 and 16. It discusses their synthesis using either liquid or organic phase pathways, and their applications in tumor diagnosis, drug delivery, and drug screening by marking target molecules. The advantages of quantum dots include their tunable fluorescent properties and biocompatibility, while challenges include unstable biological coupling and potential biotoxicity from cadmium ion release.