"In vitro" is a Latin term meaning "in glass." It refers to experiments conducted outside of a living organism, typically in a controlled laboratory environment, such as test tubes or petri dishes. This method allows scientists to study biological processes, reactions, and interactions in a simplified setting, free from the complexities of living systems. Common applications of in vitro techniques include drug testing, genetic research, and cell culture studies. For example, researchers might use in vitro methods to evaluate the effectiveness of a new medication on human cells before proceeding to in vivo testing, which involves living organisms.