A model for the role of serum was proposed to develop a low serum medium for the large scale cu1ture of mammalian cell. The strategy of medium development adopted in this study facilitated the understanding of the role being carried out by the serum in the culture of hybridoma KAl12 cell line. In this model, the serum components were divided into two main groups : the first group encompasses the nutrient factors that determine the maximum cell density and the second group includes the growth factors that regulate the cell growth rate, The model prediction was compared with the experimental results. The model enabled us to find out several useful aspects of medium composition for cell growth. 1) One particular component in the basal medium became limiting factor when serum concentration level was more than 7%. 2) The growth regulating factors and nutrient factors limited the cell growth at 3% and 5% serum concentration levels respectively.