Cell culture is the process by which
cells are grown under controlled conditions, generally outside of their natural environment. In practice, the term "cell culture" now refers to the culturing of cells derived from multicellular
eukaryotes, especially
animal cells, in contrast with other types of culture that also grow cells, such as
plant tissue culture,
fungal culture, and
microbiological culture (of
microbes). The historical development and methods of cell culture are closely interrelated to those of
tissue culture and
organ culture.
Viral culture is also related, with cells as hosts for the viruses.