Animal cell culture is a technique used to grow and
maintain animal cells outside their natural environment
under controlled laboratory conditions. This process is
vital for research in cell biology, genetics, medicine, and
biotechnology.
Key Concepts and Overview
1. Definition: Animal cell culture involves isolating cells
from an animal tissue, providing them with the
necessary environment to survive, grow, and proliferate.
This is achieved using a nutrient-rich medium, sterile
conditions, and controlled temperature and pH.
2. Types of Cultures:
Primary Cell Culture: Cells are directly taken from
tissue and have a limited lifespan.
Secondary (Subcultured) Cell Line: Derived from primary
cells, subcultured to extend their lifespan.
Continuous Cell Lines: Immortalized cells that can
proliferate indefinitely, often used in long-term studies.
, Suspension Culture: Cells grow freely in the medium
(e.g., blood cells).
Adherent Culture: Cells attach to the surface of the
culture vessel (e.g., epithelial cells).
3. Key Components:
Culture Media: Provides nutrients, growth factors, and
energy. It can be natural or synthetic (e.g., DMEM, RPMI-
1640).
Serum: Often used as a supplement (e.g., fetal bovine
serum), providing growth factors.
pH and Temperature: Typically maintained at pH 7.2–
7.4 and 37°C.
Sterile Conditions: Prevent contamination using laminar
flow hoods and sterilized equipment.
4. Steps in Animal Cell Culture:
Isolation: Cells are extracted from tissues using
enzymatic (e.g., trypsin) or mechanical methods.
maintain animal cells outside their natural environment
under controlled laboratory conditions. This process is
vital for research in cell biology, genetics, medicine, and
biotechnology.
Key Concepts and Overview
1. Definition: Animal cell culture involves isolating cells
from an animal tissue, providing them with the
necessary environment to survive, grow, and proliferate.
This is achieved using a nutrient-rich medium, sterile
conditions, and controlled temperature and pH.
2. Types of Cultures:
Primary Cell Culture: Cells are directly taken from
tissue and have a limited lifespan.
Secondary (Subcultured) Cell Line: Derived from primary
cells, subcultured to extend their lifespan.
Continuous Cell Lines: Immortalized cells that can
proliferate indefinitely, often used in long-term studies.
, Suspension Culture: Cells grow freely in the medium
(e.g., blood cells).
Adherent Culture: Cells attach to the surface of the
culture vessel (e.g., epithelial cells).
3. Key Components:
Culture Media: Provides nutrients, growth factors, and
energy. It can be natural or synthetic (e.g., DMEM, RPMI-
1640).
Serum: Often used as a supplement (e.g., fetal bovine
serum), providing growth factors.
pH and Temperature: Typically maintained at pH 7.2–
7.4 and 37°C.
Sterile Conditions: Prevent contamination using laminar
flow hoods and sterilized equipment.
4. Steps in Animal Cell Culture:
Isolation: Cells are extracted from tissues using
enzymatic (e.g., trypsin) or mechanical methods.
