Cell Culture Lab Practices Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of an incubator in a cell culture lab?

To clean lab equipment without contamination

To store cell cultures at low temperatures

To simplify the preparation of media and reagents

To provide the appropriate environment for cell growth (correct)

What is a key feature of stainless steel incubators?

They are less expensive than glass incubators

They are designed for low-humidity settings

They provide superior temperature control

They allow easy cleaning and provide corrosion protection (correct)

What temperature range is typically suitable for storing most cell culture reagents?

2°C to 8°C (correct)

–5°C to –20°C (correct)

–80°C to –100°C

0°C to 4°C

Which type of incubator is best for controlling high humidity and CO2 levels for cell cultures?

Humid CO2 incubator Signup and view all the answers

Where should cell lines in continuous culture ideally be preserved to avoid genetic instability?

In cryogenic storage Signup and view all the answers

What is a common method to increase humidity in a dry incubator?

Adding a water dish Signup and view all the answers

What should a cell culture laboratory include for proper storage?

A variety of storage areas for different types of supplies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about autodefrost freezers is true?

They can cause the viability of certain reagents to decrease. Signup and view all the answers

Why is frequent cleaning of the incubator important?

To prevent contamination of cell cultures Signup and view all the answers

Which cryogenic storage type minimizes the risk of explosion when storing biohazardous materials?

Wide-necked vapor phase storage system Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential drawback of using dry incubators compared to humid CO2 incubators?

They offer less precise control of culture conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of using a domestic freezer compared to a laboratory freezer?

Potential temperature fluctuations Signup and view all the answers

What types of items should be stored in a cell culture lab?

Media, reagents, chemicals, consumables, glassware, and tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the main advantage of liquid phase storage systems over vapor phase systems?

Longer static holding times Signup and view all the answers

Which temperature is NOT appropriate for long-term cellular storage?

–20°C Signup and view all the answers

What type of refrigerator is considered adequate for small cell culture laboratories?

Domestic refrigerator Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary function of a cell counter?

Count cells Signup and view all the answers

How does the hemocytometer determine cell viability?

By using trypan blue exclusion Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the grid etched onto the hemocytometer?

To provide a visual reference for cell counting Signup and view all the answers

What critical factors are essential for the centrifuge during cell harvesting?

Temperature control and centrifugal speeds Signup and view all the answers

What type of airflow is characteristic of a horizontal flow hood?

Air flows parallel to the work surface towards the user Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of laminar flow hoods?

To protect cultures and the user from contaminants Signup and view all the answers

What feature of the hemocytometer is essential for viewing cells under a microscope?

A centralized counting chamber with a grid Signup and view all the answers

Which type of centrifuge operation is critical for accurate cell concentration?

Exact temperature regulation Signup and view all the answers

What is a key safety practice when handling carcinogenic substances in the lab?

Using personal protective equipment, including gloves Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to work surfaces before and after working with cell cultures?

Decontaminate them Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant reason laboratory workers should not culture cells from their own body?

Infection with human pathogenic agents could occur Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of Genetic Modification Safety Committees (GMSC)?

To ensure the responsible use and generation of GMOs Signup and view all the answers

What potential risk does the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) carry?

Introduction of new viruses Signup and view all the answers

What should be done to new cells before incorporating them into culture?

Quarantine them and treat as potentially infected Signup and view all the answers

What is an effect of improperly managing modified cells in the laboratory?

Potential biohazards to humans Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of regulations regarding GMOs?

To minimize the risks associated with GMOs Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Culture Lab Equipment & Supplies

Basic cell culture lab equipment and supplies are crucial for successful cell culture experiments.

Incubators

Incubators provide the optimal environment for cell growth.
Stainless steel incubators are easy to clean and resist corrosion, especially if humid air is needed.
Frequent cleaning prevents contamination.

Types of Incubators

Dry incubators: More economical but require sealed flasks to prevent evaporation. A water dish can help with humidity, but precise control is not possible.
Humid CO₂ incubators: More expensive but offer superior control over culture conditions. They are used with Petri dishes or multi-well plates needing a controlled atmosphere with high humidity and increased CO₂ tension.

Storage

Cell culture labs need storage areas for liquids like media and reagents, chemicals like drugs and antibiotics, consumables (pipettes, gloves), glassware (media bottles, pipettes), specialized equipment, and tissues/cells.

Types of Storage

Refrigerators: For small labs, a domestic refrigerator is adequate to store reagents/media at 2-8°C. Larger labs often use cold rooms for cell cultures. A domestic freezer can be a cheaper alternative to a dedicated lab freezer.
Freezers: Most cell culture reagents can be stored at -5°C to -20°C. An ultradeep freezer (-80°C) is sometimes used, but not always necessary. Some reagents (antibiotics, enzymes) require freezers without autodefrost cycles.

Cryogenic Storage

Cell lines in continuous culture can suffer from genetic instability as their passage number increases. Cryogenic storage is essential for preparing working stocks of the cells.
Do not store cells in -20°C or -80°C freezers; their viability quickly decreases when stored at these temperatures.

Liquid Nitrogen

Liquid nitrogen storage systems come in vapor phase and liquid phase.
Vapor phase systems decrease explosion risk in cryostorage tubes and are needed for biohazardous materials.
Liquid phase systems provide longer holding times and are often more economical.

Cell Counter

Cell counters are used to quantify cell growth and kinetics.
They count cells and calculate cell viability.
Data presentation is visual, and data is securely stored.
Data can be exported for further analysis.

Hemocytometer

A glass slide with a central chamber grid to count cells under a microscope.
Viability is determined using trypan blue exclusion, where viable cells don't take up the dye.

Cell Culture Flask & Plate

Used for cell cultivation.

Multichannel Pipette

Automated pipette to add liquids to multiple samples simultaneously.

Buffer

Important solutions used in cell culture (example, PBS).

Centrifuge

Used to separate or concentrate cells/cell components.
Precise temperature control and centrifugal speeds are vital.

Laminar Flow

Protects the working environment from contaminants. HEPA-filtered air is constantly supplied in a unidirectional flow. Different designs provide protection to the culture or the user.

Cell Culture Lab Safety

Follow specific safety protocols to prevent contamination.

Safety Protocols

Handwashing: Always wash hands thoroughly.
Decontaminating work surfaces: Clean and disinfect surfaces to prevent contamination.
Handling carcinogens: Handle carcinogenic materials with care using protective equipment.
Quarantine new cells: Isolate new cells to prevent contamination of existing cell cultures.
Screen existing cell stocks: Regularly test for contamination in existing cell cultures.

Biohazards in Cell Culture

Viruses and modified cells are significant possible biohazards.
Use and generation of modified cells can pose risks.
Workers must never culture cells from their own body tissues.

GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) should be strictly controlled and regulated.
Most countries have regulatory organizations to minimize risks posed by GMOs.
UK examples: require a Genetic Modification Safety Committee (GMSC) for labs working with GMOs.

Cell Culture Waste Disposal

Inactivate tissue culture waste (like culture media) with hypochlorite for at least 2 hours before disposal to drain with excess water.
Contaminated pipettes should be put into overnight hypochlorite solution before incineration.
Solid waste (flasks, tubes, gloves, etc.) should be placed in heavy-duty sacks for incineration. Autoclaving is sometimes a less desirable treatment method.
Waste from genetically modified (GMO level 2) organisms often requires specialized treatment and tracking.

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Description

Test your knowledge on essential practices and equipment used in a cell culture laboratory. This quiz covers incubators, storage methods, and best practices for maintaining cell cultures. Ideal for students and professionals in the field of biology and laboratory technology.