Phosphate groups (negatively charged chemical groups) were grafted onto the surface of cellulose membranes by a reaction between hydroxyl groups of cellulose and phosphorus pentoxide to observe the effect of phosphate groups on cellular behavior. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to determine phosphorylation. Captive bubble contact angle measurement was used to determine surface wettability. XPS was also used to analyze serum protein adsorption. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were maintained in Ham's F-12 nutrient mixture with and without fetal calf serum. Total cell area and shape factor were analyzed using image-analyzing software. Serum proteins showed higher adsorption on phosphated cellulose. Cell spreading on phosphated membranes was greater than on the cellulose membrane that served as control. The cell growth rate was faster compared to the control. Large cell aggregates were not found on the phosphated membranes, in contrast to the control membrane. The cells on the control were aggregated regardless of the existence of divalent cations in the medium.