Which statement is true regarding primary cells and cell lines?

The choice stating that primary cells are difficult to maintain viability, but cell lines are relatively easy to maintain, is accurate because of the fundamental differences between primary cells and established cell lines.

Primary cells are directly derived from tissues and usually maintain a finite lifespan, often undergoing senescence after a limited number of divisions. Their specific growth conditions and requirements can be complex, making them challenging to culture over the long term. They may also require specific growth factors and a precise extracellular matrix environment to thrive, which adds to their maintenance difficulty.

On the other hand, cell lines, particularly immortalized cell lines, have been modified to proliferate indefinitely under standard laboratory conditions. These cell lines have adapted to the controlled environment, making them more straightforward to culture and maintain. They can generally sustain consistent growth and often do not require the same specific conditions as primary cells, thus simplifying experimentation.

This understanding reinforces the choice regarding the maintenance viability of primary cells versus cell lines, highlighting the practical aspects of using each in research and applications.