In the living cells remain viable thanks to the contribution of nutrients, guaranteed by the vascular system and, via the capillary network, nourishes the tissue at the cellular level and removes waste products derived from cellular metabolism . In vitro functions vascular vicariate are from the culture medium, a liquid medium highly nutritious. It consists of basic substances, such as glucose, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and trace elements present, necessary for the normal physiological functions of the cell, and from animal serum (usually fetal bovine serum), which supports the growth and proliferation phone. The whey is in most cases used at a concentration of 5 to 20% and contains growth factors, such as platelet growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factors (IGF) , hormones (eg., insulin), lipids (fatty acids, phospholipids, lecithin and cholesterol) are important as a source of energy and for the synthesis of the plasma membrane and adhesive factors, such as fibronectin and vitronectin, transferrin, important for the metabolism of iron, and albumin, capable of transporting vitamins and lipids. The cells should be fed regularly under aseptic conditions to ensure its viability. Normal cells adhere to surfaces of glass or plastic treated and proliferate to form a confluent monolayer that completely covers the surface of the container (petri dish or flask). To ensure the maintenance of the cells in a microenvironment similar to native cells in the laboratory are kept in incubator at 37 ° C with controlled atmosphere (95% air, 5% CO 2 ), which enables it to maintain the proper pH phone. Depending on the tissue of origin, the cells may require the addition to the culture medium of specific factors, in order to maintain the same degree of proliferation and differentiation.
