Role of a balanced salt solution in cell culture is multifaceted and can be divided into four principal functions:

• Serves as an irrigating, transporting and diluting fluid while maintaining intra- and extracellular osmotic balance
• Provides cells with water and certain bulk inorganic ions essential for normal cell metabolism
• Combined with a carbohydrate, such as glucose, provides the principal energy source for cell metabolism
• Provides a buffering system to maintain the medium within the physiological pH range (7,2 to 7,6)

Phosphate buffered saline tablets have been specifically developed for use in immunoassay procedures.