The spelling of "flask culture" is straightforward with a phonetic transcription of /flæsk ˈkʌl.tʃər/. The word "flask" is pronounced with a short "a" sound as in "cat" and ends with the "sk" sound. "Culture" is pronounced with a long "u" sound as in "hume" and ends with the "chur" sound. Together, "flask culture" refers to the method of growing cells in laboratory flasks, where cells are suspended in a nutrient-rich liquid medium. This technique is commonly used for cell and tissue culture applications.
Flask culture refers to a method of growing and maintaining cells or microorganisms in a laboratory setting. It involves the use of flasks, which are typically made of glass or plastic and have a narrow neck and a flat bottom.
In flask culture, a small number of cells or microorganisms are initially introduced into a sterile liquid medium within the flask. The medium is carefully formulated to provide all the necessary nutrients and conditions for the growth and development of the cells. These nutrients may include sugars, salts, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. The flask is then securely capped or covered to prevent contamination by external microorganisms.
The flask is placed in an appropriate environment, such as an incubator, with controlled temperature, humidity, and lighting conditions. As the cells grow and multiply, they consume the nutrients in the medium and release waste products. The growth of the cells can be visually monitored through regular observation of changes in the appearance of the medium and the density of the cell culture.
Flask culture is widely used in scientific research, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical industries for a variety of applications. It allows researchers to study and manipulate cells or microorganisms under controlled conditions, enabling the production of specific products, such as proteins or vaccines, or the investigation of cellular processes and functions. The resulting cell cultures can also be used as a starting point for subsequent experiments, such as scaling up to larger bioreactors for mass production or analysis of specific cellular characteristics. Overall, flask culture provides a controlled and convenient method for the cultivation and study of cells and microorganisms in the laboratory.
A c. on a gelatin or agar medium solidified on one side of a flat flask.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "flask culture" does not have a specific etymology of its own as it is a combination of two individual words: "flask" and "culture". However, let's briefly explore the etymology of each word individually:
- Flask: The word "flask" originated from the Middle English word "flaske" around the 14th century. It has Middle French and Old High German roots. The Old High German word "flaska" means "bottle" or "flask", while the Middle French word "flasque" means "bottle" or "container".
- Culture: The word "culture" entered the English language in the early 15th century and has Latin roots. It derives from the Latin verb "colere" which means "to till" or "to inhabit".