American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Technologist in Cytogenetics certification (ASCP CG) Practice Test

In short-term culture, which of the following is true regarding commercially prepared media?

1. They are not suitable for use

2. Most are suitable for use

3. Only specific brands are recommended

4. They require custom preparation

The correct answer is: Most are suitable for use

Commercially prepared media are typically assessed for their quality and effectiveness in supporting cell growth in cytogenetic analyses. When it comes to short-term cultures, most commercially available media are formulated to provide the necessary nutrients, growth factors, and pH balance required for optimal cell proliferation. This means they can often be used directly without additional modification, making them an efficient choice for laboratories. The availability of various brands and formulations also reflects a wide acceptance among laboratories that these media can support short-term cultures adequately. Additionally, manufacturers often provide protocols and specifications tailored to maximize the performance of their media, enhancing the reliability of experimental results. On the other hand, while there may be some exceptions where specific brands or formulations are not suitable, this is more the exception than the rule. Custom preparation of media may be necessary in certain specialized conditions, but general practice leans towards using readily available, commercially prepared media that have been validated for this purpose. Thus, the general consensus and established practices support that most commercially prepared media are indeed suitable for short-term culture in cytogenetics.