Cell Culture Applications

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Questions and Answers

What is the size range of a typical animal cell?

10-20µm

20-30µm (correct)

100-150µm

50-60µm

What is the oldest technique used to examine living cells?

Cell culture

Electron microscopy

Direct observation under a microscope (correct)

Cell fractionation

What is the purpose of using a culture media in cell culture?

To isolate the cells

To study the cell wall

To keep the cells alive (correct)

To kill the cells

Who is credited with the first tissue culture in 1907?

Ross Harrison Signup and view all the answers

What was the first culture media used by Ross Harrison?

Lymphatic fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of isolating cells and growing them in culture?

To study cell behavior Signup and view all the answers

What can be observed in a cell culture of spinal cord fragments?

Nerve fibers growing out Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of using cell culture over direct observation of living cells?

It allows for prolonged study of living cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal temperature for cell cultivation in a CO2 incubator?

37 ºC Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the indicator dye phenol red in cell culture?

To indicate pH levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the main characteristic of a primary cell culture?

Has a limited life span Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a process where cells stop dividing and die?

Cell senescence Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of using cell cultures in research?

Cells can be watched continuously under the microscope Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a cell that has undergone transformation and can grow indefinitely?

Immortal cell Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a laminar-flow hood in cell culture?

To provide a sterile environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a culture derived from a single transformed cell?

Cell line Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of microdissection techniques in cell biology?

To isolate selected cells from tissue slices Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of embryonic stem cells in cell biology?

They can proliferate indefinitely and give rise to all cell types in the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary application of cell culture in cancer research?

To study malignant transformation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of hybrid cells?

They are produced by the fusion of animal cells Signup and view all the answers

What is the process of cell fusion?

The merging of two cell membranes and cytoplasmic mixing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organisms is widely used in molecular biology research?

Escherichia coli Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in molecular biology research?

It is the most frequently used single cell eukaryote Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential application of embryonic stem cells in therapy?

To replace skeletal muscle fibers in muscular dystrophy patients Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Microdissection Techniques

Allow selected cells to be isolated from tissue slices
Applications include:
- Embryonic organ culture
- Study of cancer cells
- Cell-virus relations
- Cytogenetic research
- Cell-cell interactions
- Cell nutrition

Embryonic Stem Cells

Most promising cell lines for medical applications
Derived from inner cell mass of early mouse embryos
Can proliferate indefinitely
Can give rise to all cell types in the body
Can be used to replace and repair damaged mature human tissues
Potential therapeutic applications:
- Muscular dystrophy
- Parkinson's disease
- Type I diabetes

Model Organisms

Escherichia coli (E. coli): best understood cell in biology
Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast): most frequently used single-cell eukaryote
Studies with bacteria and yeast established basic principles of molecular biology

Cell-Cell Fusion

Hybrid cells produced by fusion of animal cells
Cell fusion: membrane merging and cytoplasmic mixing of two cell types
Examples: human cell and mouse cell fusion

Cell Size and Number

Human body composed of trillions of cells
Size of a typical animal cell: 20-30 µm
Largest cell: human egg (150-200 µm)
Smallest cell: granular cells of cerebellum (4-5 µm)

Methods for Examining Cells

Examination of the cell as a whole (without disruption)
Examination of living cells (fresh tissues)
Examination of killed and preserved tissues and cells
Fractionation of cells and analyzing their molecules

Cell Culture

Isolating cells and growing them in culture
Living cells can be suspended in an appropriate liquid (e.g. saline solution)
Prolonged study of living cells can be made by culturing them in solutions containing necessary nutrients
First tissue culture (1907): Ross Harrison, isolated fragments of spinal cord of a frog

Culture Conditions

Medium supplying essential nutrients (amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals)
Growth factors
Hormones
Gases (O2, CO2)
Regulated physico-chemical environment (pH, osmotic pressure, temperature)
Most cells are anchorage-dependent and require a solid or semi-solid substrate

Primary Cell Culture and Cell Lines

Primary cell culture: derived from normal animal cells, limited life span, divide 25-50 times, and then stop dividing (cell senescence)
Cell lines: eukaryotic cell lines, widely used for experiments, transformed cells, grow indefinitely in culture (immortal cells)

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Description

This quiz covers various applications of cell culture techniques, including the study of embryonic development, cancer cells, and cytogenetic research.