Semiconductor nanocrystals are very useful tools in biological applications because of their unique optical properties. In this study, synthesis and characterization of CdTe / CdS and CdSexS1-x nanocrystals were carried out. CdSexS1-x nanocrystals were synthesized by a modified two phase method. Highly luminescent (Quantum yied . %80) , monodisperse and face centered cubic CdSexS1-x nanocrystals were obtained in toluene. The size of nanoparticles varies from 3.5 to 3.7 nm Ligand exchange was performed on CdSexS1-x nanocrystals and luminescent water soluble CdSexS1-x nanocrystals were obtained. CdTe / CdS nanocrystals were synthesized in one step and and one pot by a modified method. Face centered cubic, luminescent (Quantum yield . 30%) and monodisperse CdTe / CdS nanocrystals with different sizes in a size range from 4.7 to 9.3 nm were obtained in water. Toxicity of CdTe / CdS nanocrystals was determined by MTT test. The lethal concentrations were respectively 1.0 and 15 .g/ml for PC3 and MCF7 cells. Confocal microscopy shows that the nanoparticles enter to the cytoplasm of cells.