Culture medium
Culture medium (pronunciation: /ˈkʌltʃər ˈmiːdiəm/) is a liquid or gel designed to support the growth of microorganisms or cells, or small plants like the moss Physcomitrella patens. There are different types of culture media, such as broth media, agar media, and cell culture media.
Etymology
The term "culture medium" comes from the Latin cultura meaning "cultivation" and the Latin medium meaning "middle". This is because the culture medium provides a nurturing environment, or a "middle ground", where cells or microorganisms can grow.
Types of Culture Media
There are several types of culture media, each designed to support the growth of specific types of cells or microorganisms. These include:
- Broth media: This is a liquid medium that is often used for growing bacteria and yeast. It typically contains water, a source of carbon (such as glucose), and various salts.
- Agar media: This is a solid medium that is often used for growing bacteria and fungi. It typically contains agar, a gel-like substance derived from seaweed, along with nutrients.
- Cell culture media: This is a liquid medium that is often used for growing animal or plant cells. It typically contains a balanced mix of nutrients, growth factors, and hormones.
Related Terms
- Microorganism: A microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, virus, or fungus.
- Cell culture: The process by which cells are grown under controlled conditions, generally outside their natural environment.
- Agar: A gelatinous substance obtained from certain red seaweeds and used in biological culture media and as a thickener in foods.
- Broth: A liquid medium made for the growth of bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Culture medium
- Wikipedia's article - Culture medium
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