What is the Difference Between Cell Viability and Cell Proliferation?

Cell viability and cell proliferation are two distinct concepts related to cell behavior. Here are the key differences between them:

• Cell Viability:
• Refers to the number of living cells in a population.
• Focuses on cell health and survival.
• Can be assessed by measuring cell membrane permeability, metabolic activity, or the ability of cells to reduce tetrazolium salts.
• Cell Proliferation:
• Refers to the ability of cells to divide and replicate themselves.
• Focuses on cell division and growth.
• Can be measured by monitoring the number of cells over time, the number of cellular divisions, metabolic activity, or DNA synthesis.

While both concepts are related to cell behavior, cell viability is concerned with the health and survival of cells, whereas cell proliferation is centered on cell division and growth. Maintaining viability is essential for ensuring the reliability of experimental results, while understanding proliferation is crucial for tissue regeneration and combating diseases that involve cell growth.

Comparative Table: Cell Viability vs Cell Proliferation

Here is a table comparing cell viability and cell proliferation:

In summary, cell viability and cell proliferation are distinct characteristics of cells, with cell viability focusing on cell health and survival, and cell proliferation centering on cell division and growth. Both are important parameters in cell biology, providing valuable insights into cell behavior and health.