in vitro

/in'vitrou/

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Word: In Vitro

Part of Speech: Adjective (can also be used as an adverb)

Explanation:

"In vitro" is a Latin phrase that means "in glass." In English, it refers to something done in a controlled, artificial environment outside of a living organism. This term is often used in scientific and medical contexts, particularly in biology and medicine.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "in vitro" when talking about experiments or processes that take place outside of a living body, usually in a lab setting.
• It is most commonly associated with scientific research, especially in areas like genetics, biology, and reproductive medicine.

Example:

• As an adjective: "In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body."
• As an adverb: "The scientists studied the cells in vitro to understand their behavior without the influence of a living organism."

Advanced Usage:

• In vitro studies are often used to test the effects of drugs on cells without using animals or humans. For example, "The new medication was evaluated in vitro before clinical trials began."

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "in vitro," but you may encounter related terms like "in vivo," which means "within the living" (referring to experiments conducted in a living organism).

Different Meanings:

While "in vitro" primarily refers to scientific contexts, its general meaning can apply to any scenario where something occurs outside of its natural environment.

Synonyms:

• Laboratory setting
• Artificial environment

Related Terms:

• In Vivo: Refers to processes or experiments conducted inside a living organism.
• In Situ: Refers to processes or experiments conducted in the original place or context.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "in vitro," but you may come across phrases like "test-tube baby," which refers to a child conceived through in vitro fertilization.

Summary:

"In vitro" is an important term in science that describes processes happening outside of a living organism, particularly in a laboratory setting.

Academic

Adjective

1. in an artificial environment outside the living organism
   • in vitro fertilization

Adverb

1. in an artificial environment outside the living organism
   • an egg fertilized in vitro

Synonyms

• ex vivo