True or False: In vitro degradation of polymers occurs faster than in vivo degradation.

In vitro degradation of polymers generally occurs at a slower rate compared to in vivo degradation. In vitro conditions often do not fully replicate the complex biological environment found within an organism, which includes factors such as enzymatic activity, physiological pH, temperature, and the presence of biological fluids. These elements in vivo can significantly accelerate the degradation process of the polymers due to biochemical interactions with surrounding tissues and cells.

The in vivo environment stimulates various degradation mechanisms such as hydrolysis, enzymatic breakdown, and cellular uptake, which are not necessarily present or active in in vitro studies. This means that while polymers may appear to degrade at a certain rate under laboratory conditions, the actual degradation in a biological system is typically more rapid and influenced by numerous biological factors.

Thus, the statement that in vitro degradation occurs faster than in vivo degradation is false, reinforcing the idea that understanding the differences in degradation rates is crucial for the application of tissue engineering materials.