Differential centrifugation
Differential Centrifugation (pronunciation: dif-er-en-shul sen-tri-fyu-gey-shuhn) is a common procedure in Microbiology and Cell Biology, which is used to separate and isolate different Cell Components based on their size, shape, and density.
Etymology
The term 'Differential Centrifugation' is derived from the process it describes. 'Differential' refers to the difference in sedimentation rates of the particles, and 'Centrifugation' is derived from the Latin word 'centrum' meaning center and 'fugere' meaning to flee, which describes the process of separating particles from a solution using centrifugal force.
Procedure
Differential Centrifugation involves a series of centrifugation steps, each at a progressively higher speed. The process begins with a low-speed centrifugation that pelletes only the largest and most dense particles, such as Cell Nuclei. The supernatant from this step is then centrifuged at a higher speed to pellet the next largest particles, and so on. This results in a series of fractions, each containing particles of a different size and density.
Applications
Differential Centrifugation is widely used in both research and clinical settings. In research, it is often used to isolate specific cell components for further study. In clinical settings, it can be used to separate cells from plasma in blood samples, or to concentrate cells from urine for microscopic examination.
Related Terms
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Differential centrifugation
- Wikipedia's article - Differential centrifugation
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