Question

What do you mean by microcarrier?

(a) Carrier of small molecules

(b) Carrier of small cells

(c) Support material of suspended cells

(d) Support material of adherent cells

This question was addressed to me during an online interview.

Origin of the question is Bioreactor Considerations in section Bioprocess Considerations in Using Animal Cell Cultures of Bioprocess Engineering

Answer 1

Right choice is (d) Support material of adherent cells

To explain I would say: A microcarrier is a support matrix allowing for the growth of adherent cells in bioreactors. Microcarriers are regularly used to grow protein-producing or virus-generating adherent cell populations in the large-scale commercial production of biologics (proteins) and vaccines.