Primary cell culture

Definition

Primary cell culture involves the isolation of cells directly from tissues or organs and their subsequent maintenance in an artificial environment. These cultures provide a more accurate representation of cellular physiology compared to established cell lines.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Primary cell cultures are obtained directly from living tissues and have a limited lifespan.
2. They maintain many characteristics of the original tissue, making them ideal for studying virus-host interactions.
3. Primary cell cultures are often used to isolate viruses by observing cytopathic effects (CPE).
4. Contamination is a significant risk in primary cell culture due to the presence of other microorganisms or host cells.
5. The initial growth phase in primary culture is known as the lag phase, where cells adapt to their new environment.

Review Questions

Related terms

Cell Line: A population of cells derived from a single cell and maintained over multiple generations.

Cytopathic Effect (CPE): Observable changes or damages in host cells caused by viral infection.

Subculture: The process of transferring cultured cells from one vessel to another to provide fresh nutrients and space for continued growth.