For what purpose are animal cell cultures commonly used?

Animal cell cultures are widely utilized for testing cosmetics and drug efficacy because they provide a controlled environment where researchers can study cellular responses to various substances. This approach allows scientists to observe how cells react to these agents in real-time, making it easier to assess the safety and effectiveness of new products before they are applied in living organisms.

Using cell cultures reduces the ethical concerns associated with animal testing, as it allows for preliminary testing in a lab setting. Additionally, results from cell cultures can often be more directly correlated to human biological processes, offering insights into how drugs may behave in human bodies.

Other options suggest valid uses of cell cultures, but they are not as broadly embraced in the same capacity. For instance, studying viral infections is a significant application of animal cell cultures, but it is more specific and may not encompass the diverse range of research conducted in cell cultures. Observing habitat interactions is outside the scope of cell cultures, as it pertains more to ecological studies. Lastly, while educational demonstrations may utilize cell cultures, this is a more limited context not reflective of their primary functions in research and development.