2.8 - Cell Culture

Question 1

What is cell culture?

Answer 1

The process by which cells are grown under controlled conditions outside of their natural environment.

Question 2

Where can cell culture techniques be used?

Answer 2

• Microorganism cell culture:
  Bacterial cell culture
  Culturing yeast
• Animal cell culture:
  Stem cells
  Tissue Culture
  Cell lines for research
• Plant cell culture:
  To create hybrids
  Produce large plant numbers with the same features

Question 3

Animal Cell Culture Steps:

Answer 3

1. Dissect tissue sample
2. Digest the sample with enzymes to separate the tissue clump into single cells.
3. Place cells in culture medium with nutrients and growth factors and incubate at optimal temperature.
4. Wait, regularly check cells and change the culture medium every few days.

Question 4

Step 1 of Animal Cell Culture:

Answer 4

Dissect tissue sample

Question 5

Step 2 of Animal Cell Culture:

Answer 5

Digest the sample with enzymes to separate the tissue clump into single cells.

Question 6

Step 3 of Animal Cell Culture:

Answer 6

Place cells in culture medium with nutrients and growth factors and incubate at optimal temperature.

Question 7

Step 4 of Animal Cell Culture:

Answer 7

Wait, regularly check cells and change the culture medium every few days.

Question 8

Plant Cell Culture Steps:

Answer 8

1. Sample is collected from donor plant.
2. Cells are washed in alcohol to remove microorganisms.
3. Cells are added to nutrient-rich agar in a dish.
4. Each cell grows into a cluster of cells (called a callus).
5. Growth factors and hormones added to differentiate cells into roots or shoots (or both).
6. New plants transferred to soil.

Question 9

Step 1 of Plant Cell Culture:

Answer 9

Sample is collected from donor plant.

Question 10

Step 2 of Plant Cell Culture:

Answer 10

Cells are washed in alcohol to remove microorganisms.

Question 11

Step 3 of Plant Cell Culture:

Answer 11

Cells are added to nutrient-rich agar in a dish.

Question 12

Step 4 of Plant Cell Culture:

Answer 12

Each cell grows into a cluster of cells (called a callus)

Question 13

Step 5 of Plant Cell Culture:

Answer 13

Growth factors and hormones added to differentiate cells into roots or shoots (or both).

Question 14

Step 6 of Plant Cell Culture:

Answer 14

New plants transferred to soil.

Question 15

What do cultured cells require?

Answer 15

1. Optimal temperature, pH, and osmotic balance.
2. A culture medium containing cell nutrients and growth factors.
3. A sterile environment

Question 16

What types of cells can be grown in culture?

Answer 16

Connective tissue elements (fibroblasts)
Skeletal tissue
Cardiac tissue
Epithelial tissue (eg: liver, breast, skin, kidney)
Many different types of tumour cells

Question 17

What is cell culture used for?

Answer 17

1. Modelling systems
2. Drug Testing
3. Cancer Research
4. Genetic Engineering
5. Gene Therapy
6. Stem cell culture

Question 18

How can cell culture be used for modelling systems?

Answer 18

For studying basic cell biology, interactions between disease causing agents and cells, and the effects of drugs on cells.

Question 19

How can cell culture be used for drug testing?

Answer 19

To look at the effect of drugs on cells.

Question 20

How can cell culture be used for cancer research?

Answer 20

To study the function of various chemicals, viruses and radiation in converting normal cultured cells to cancerous cells.

Question 21

How can cell culture be used for genetic engineering?

Answer 21

For the large - scale production of proteins, or viruses for vaccine production (eg: polio, rabies, chicken pox, hepatitis B).

Question 22

How can cell culture be used for gene therapy?

Answer 22

To alter or replace cells that have a non-functional gene.

Question 23

How can cell culture be used for stem cell culture?

Answer 23

For treatment of disease.