All media used in tissue culture have a basis of a synthetic
mixture of inorganic salts known as a physiological
or balanced salt solution (BSS). All the physiological
salt solutions have been derived from the salt solution
originally described by Sydney Ringer (1885). The first
balanced salt solution to be developed specifically for
supporting the metabolism of mammalian cells was
Tyrode's solution. Since then many modifications have
been done to obtain better buffering salt solutions and to
prevent calcium precipitation.
The function of a salt solution is:
·To maintain the medium within physiological pH range.
·To maintain intracellular and extra cellular osmotic
balance.
·Modified with a carbohydrate, such as glucose serves as
an energy source for cell metabolism.
Earle's balanced salt solution is designed to equilibrate
with a 5% CO2
in air mixture. TL1110 is Earle's
balanced salt solution with sodium bicarbonate hence
requires the cells to be grown in a 5% CO2
environment.
It does not contain calcium and magnesium. The solution
contains phenol red.
Without Calcium and Magnesium