A new method for characterizing living tissue cells is demonstrated using both phase and amplitude information derived from the spectrally resolved interferogram in a single measurement. The effect of the light source spectral distribution can be cancelled out with the help of the zero order spectrum of the Fourier transform of the interferogram. The ratio of amplitudes between the two interference beams is acquired without this effect. The group delay, the first and second order dispersions, and the absorption, etc., for the full wavelength range can be measured. The results of the culture medium and the HeLa living cells are given. In addition, the measured values of d2n/d \lambda 2 and absorption of the distilled water are also provided for comparison.