Cell culture maintains biological cells outside their original organism.[ref]
Animal Cell Culture Guide by ATCC. Glossary, Cell culture
A 3D cell culture grows biological cells in a spatial arrangement extending through three dimensions, for example as aggregates or within an extracellular matrix. This changes contact geometry, mechanical constraints and access to nutrients relative to a flat monolayer. An epithelial cyst can reveal an enclosed lumen and directional organization that a two-dimensional image misses. Three-dimensional geometry alone does not establish that the culture reproduces every property of its source tissue. [ref]
Animal Cell Culture Guide by ATCC. Culture systems and three-dimensional culture models
An organoid is a three-dimensional cellular model that reproduces selected organized features of a tissue or organ. Its relevance depends on which cell types, architecture and functions it actually preserves, rather than on three-dimensional shape alone.
A cultured three-dimensional intestinal epithelial structure reproducing selected stem-cell and cell differentiation behaviours. Exogenous growth factors and matrix replace important environmental inputs, so successful growth does not demonstrate signal-independent development.
A tumour spheroid is a three-dimensional aggregate of tumour cells used to study growth, transport and interactions with surrounding material. It need not reproduce the organized cellular diversity of an organoid.
A primary cell culture precedes the first successful subculture.[ref]
Animal Cell Culture Guide by ATCC. Glossary, Cell line and Primary culture
Fetal bovine serum is the liquid fraction obtained after blood from bovine fetuses clots, used as a complex supplement for some cell cultures. It supplies a mixture of proteins, carrier molecules and growth-supporting components. Because it is a biological mixture, composition and growth effects can vary between lots. A result obtained in serum-containing medium therefore depends on a less chemically defined environment than one using individually specified components. [ref]
Animal Cell Culture Guide by ATCC. Media and supplements: sera and serum variability
An autoclave uses heated, pressurized water vapor to sterilize suitable materials, including equipment for cell culture.
