What are the differences between primary and secondary cell cultures?

Question

Accepted Answer

The following table outlines the major differences between a primary and secondary cell culture:

Primary Cell Culture
Secondary Cell Culture

Consists of cells directly taken from the host tissue
Consists of sub-cultured or passaged cells from a primary culture

Heterogeneous cell population
Homogenous cell population

Cells have a finite lifespan
Prolongs the lifespan of cells

Cells closely resemble the host tissue and its normal physiology
Cells have adapted to the culture conditions and may have undergone mutations or genetic alterations during sub-culturing

Can serve as an in vivo model system
Serves as an in vitro model system

Difficult to maintain
Easier to maintain

High risk of contamination
Low risk of contamination

Primary Cell Culture	Secondary Cell Culture
Consists of cells directly taken from the host tissue	Consists of sub-cultured or passaged cells from a primary culture
Heterogeneous cell population	Homogenous cell population
Cells have a finite lifespan	Prolongs the lifespan of cells
Cells closely resemble the host tissue and its normal physiology	Cells have adapted to the culture conditions and may have undergone mutations or genetic alterations during sub-culturing
Can serve as an in vivo model system	Serves as an in vitro model system
Difficult to maintain	Easier to maintain
High risk of contamination	Low risk of contamination

What are the differences between primary and secondary cell cultures?

Posted December 16, 2020