The spelling of the word "stock culture" reflects its pronunciation in English. The first syllable "stock" is pronounced as /stɑːk/, with the "o" sound represented by the letter "o" and the long "a" sound represented by the letter "a". The second syllable "culture" is pronounced as /ˈkʌltʃər/, with the "u" sound represented by the letter "u" and the "tch" sound represented by the letters "tc". Overall, the spelling of "stock culture" accurately represents its phonetic pronunciation in English.
Stock culture refers to a collection or supply of microorganisms, cells, or tissues grown or maintained under controlled laboratory conditions for research, study, or industrial purposes. These cultures are developed and stored with the aim of preserving their genetic and functional characteristics, allowing for their long-term usability and availability. Stock cultures play a crucial role in various scientific disciplines, including biology, microbiology, biotechnology, and medical research.
The creation of stock cultures involves the isolation and initial cultivation of the desired microorganisms or cells, followed by their transfer and maintenance in a controlled environment. These cultures are typically preserved in specialized containers or growth media that provide nutrients, growth factors, and conditions optimal for their survival and growth. Stock cultures can consist of bacterial, yeast, fungal, or animal cells, and are often stored in refrigerators, freezers, or cryogenic storage systems at low temperatures to minimize deterioration and promote longevity.
Stock cultures serve as a valuable resource for scientific investigations and applications, providing researchers with readily available materials for further experimentation and analysis. They not only facilitate the replication of experiments but also allow for repeated use or distribution to other laboratories or collaborators, promoting consistency and reproducibility within the scientific community. Furthermore, stock cultures can serve as a reference for quality control in industrial processes, such as the production of vaccines, antibiotics, enzymes, or other biotechnological products. Overall, stock cultures form an essential foundation for many scientific and technological advancements, enabling the study and manipulation of microorganisms and cells in a controlled and reproducible manner.
A culture of any microorganism kept constantly active, by reinoculation of fresh media from time to time.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "stock culture" is a compound phrase made up of two separate words: "stock" and "culture". Here's the etymology of each word:
1. Stock: The word "stock" can be traced back to Middle English, where it originally referred to a tree trunk or wooden post. It comes from the Old English word "stocc", which meant "stump" or "trunk". Over time, the term expanded in meaning to include the trunk of a growing plant and eventually became associated with a breeding population of animals or a supply of living organisms.
2. Culture: The word "culture" has a Latin origin, derived from the Latin word "cultura", which means "cultivation" or "nurture". It originally referred to the tending of gardens or cultivation of crops.