| confluent culture | <cell biology> A cell culture in which all the cells are in contact and the entire surface of the culture vessel is covered. It is also often used with the implication that the cells have also reached their maximum density, though confluence does not necessarily mean that division will cease or that the population will not increase in size. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| continuous culture | <cell culture> A culture of microorganisms in a liquid medium which is maintained under constant conditions with a constant nutrient supply so that it can grow steadily for an extended period of time. Compare: batch culture. (11 Jan 1998) |
| culture | <cell culture, procedure> To grow in vitro. (18 Nov 1997) |
| culture collections | <cell culture> A collection of pure cultures of microorganisms and cultured cell lines. A repository that acts as a biological patenting office and a clearing house for authentic pure cultures. (14 Nov 1997) |
| culture media | Any liquid or solid preparation made specifically for the growth, storage, or transport of microorganisms or other types of cells. The variety of media that exist allow for the culturing of specific microorganisms and cell types, such as differential media, selective media, test media, and defined media. Solid media consist of liquid media that have been solidified with an agent such as agar or gelatin. (12 Dec 1998) |
| culture media, conditioned | Culture media containing biologically active components obtained from previously cultured cells or tissues that have released into the media substances affecting certain cell functions (e.g., growth, lysis). (12 Dec 1998) |
| culture media, serum-free | Culture media free of serum proteins but including the minimal essential substances required for cell growth. This type of medium avoids the presence of extraneous substances that may affect cell proliferation or unwanted activation of cells. (12 Dec 1998) |
| culture medium | A substance, either solid or liquid, used for the cultivation, isolation, identification, or storage of microorganisms. Synonym: growth medium, medium, nutrient medium. (05 Mar 2000) |
| hairy root culture | A relatively new type of plant culture, which consists of highly branched roots of a plant, covered with a mass of tiny root hairs. These cultures do not require hormones or vitamins to grow, so they can grow on simple media of salts and sugars. Just as importantly, they produce secondary metabolites at levels similar to those made in the original plant, so they can be used as replacement plants for making such compounds as food flavours and fragrances. (14 Nov 1997) |
| hanging-block culture | The propagation of microorganisms on a cube of solidified agar medium which is inoculated, attached to a cover glass, and inverted over a moist chamber or hollowed slide. (05 Mar 2000) |
| primary cell culture | <cell culture> Of animal cells, the cells taken from a tissue source and their progeny grown in culture before subdivision and transfer to a sub culture. (18 Nov 1997) |
| pure culture | <cell culture, microbiology> A culture containing a single kind of microorganism. (15 Dec 1997) |
| sensitised culture | A live culture of an organism to which a specific antiserum is added; after the mixture is incubated for several minutes (during which the antibody in the serum combines with the organisms), the excess serum is removed by means of centrifugation, washing in physiologic saline solution, and recentrifugation; the sensitised organisms may then be resuspended in physiologic saline solution. (05 Mar 2000) |
| shake culture | A culture made by inoculating a liquefied gelatin or agar medium, distributing the inoculum thoroughly by agitation, and then allowing the medium to solidify in the tube in an upright position. (05 Mar 2000) |
| short rotation intensive culture | Intensive management and harvesting at 2 to 10 year intervals of cycles of specially selected fast- growing hardwood species for the purpose of producing wood as an energy feedstock. (05 Dec 1998) |