The appropriate understanding of and applying cryopreservation to biological material is fundamental for laboratories and cell-banks. However, although protocols have been implemented for cryopreservation, ideal standards are still not being achieved or complied with in most cases. A suitable cryopreservation technique must be based on knowledge of a particular cell and/or tissue's physicochemical properties because cryopreservation is affected by different variables such as cellular permeability, osmotic inactive volume and a cell's surface/area relationship which varies according to the species, type and state of the cell to be frozen. Plasmatic membrane structure and composition determine the main cellular events taking place during cryopreservation; a drop in temperature affects diffusion and osmosis through membranes and each cell manages its own biophysical profile interacting with different cellular cryoprotectors. Cell viability and functionality can only be guaranteed by ensuring that an appropriate protocol is implemented and followed.