In vitro
In vitro studies are performed with microorganisms, cells or biological molecules outside their normal biological context. Colloquially called "test tube experiments", these studies in biology and its sub-disciplines have traditionally been done in test-tubes, flasks, petri dishes etc and since the onset of molecular biology involve techniques such as the so-called omics. Studies that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological surroundings permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. In contrast, in vivo studies are those conducted in animals including humans, and whole plants.