Cell culture is a way of growing and multiplying living cells outside of the body. It’s like a playground, but instead of playground equipment, the cells have all the nutrients and resources they need to grow and develop.
To start a cell culture, scientists take a small sample of cells from an organism, such as a human or an animal. They then put those cells in a special dish or container where they can spread out and grow.
The container is filled with a special liquid, called the growth medium. This medium is like a magic potion that provides everything the cells need to grow, including nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. It’s kind of like when we eat food to help us grow big and strong!
The scientists then add something called serum, which is like a booster shot that helps the cells thrive and grow even faster. It’s like giving the cells a big hug and telling them they’re doing a great job!
The culture dish is then placed inside an incubator, which is like a cozy, warm bedroom. The incubator keeps the temperature just right and provides the cells with plenty of oxygen, just like we need when we sleep at night.
Over time, the cells in the culture dish begin to grow and multiply, forming a big group of cells that all started from just a few small ones. This is called a cell culture.
Cell culture is important because it allows scientists to study and test how cells grow and behave in a controlled environment. It also helps them to create medicines and treatments for diseases by producing large amounts of identical cells for testing. It’s like having a whole bunch of friends in a lab that can help us learn more about how our bodies work and how to keep them healthy!