Basis of differentiation

Primary cell culture

Cell line

Definition

Primary cell culture is the growing and regulation of the specific cell type which has been removed from parental tissue

Is a cell culture derived from a single cell, composed of cells with identical genetic material

Significance in vivo

Is an in vivo model

Is not an in vivo model, 

Lifespan

Has a limited lifespan

Has an unlimited lifespan in  culture

Donor characteristics

Exhibits donor characteristics

Does not exhibit any donor characteristics

Relation to parent tissue

Has the same genetic features as the parent tissue

Has an altered genetic makeup compared to its parent tissue 

Passaging

Is unable to use passaging

Can be regulated by using passaging

Isolation mechanism

Is isolated directly from its donor

Is isolated from primary cell culture through immortalization