3.2b(iv) In vivo and in vitro studies

Question 1

In vitro

Answer 1

In vitro refers to the technique of performing a given procedure in a controlled environment outside of a living organism. For example, cells growing in culture medium, proteins in solution, purified organelles.

Question 2

In vivo

Answer 2

Refers to experimentation using a whole, living organism.

Question 3

In vitro advantages

Answer 3

Better control of your experiment and any confounding variables.

Question 4

In vivo advantages

Answer 4

You get a better idea of what is going on inside the cell or organism.

Question 5

In vitro disadvantages

Answer 5

Not possible for many biological studies

Question 6

In vivo disadvantage’s

Answer 6

Living organisms show great variability which cant really be controlled