How long does a cell live outside a living host?

[Aoiro]

Hi, how long does a cell, normal and cancerous, live outside a living host?

Thanks, Aoiro

 

[physics girl phd]

This probably depends on a lots... First of all.. define "live"... (Yeah -- right, we get into all kinds of interesting things there...)

Think about what environment you are putting it into... Would either cell "live" if you took it and threw it into an oven? Are you putting it in some nutrient solution at proper temperature? What type of cell is it? Does it have protective covering like some bacteria/spores? I'm no bio guru, but I think these things would matter more than the particular type... although what is the metabolism rate of each, and how in general does metabolism compare with viability/life?