Precipitation

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Precipitation (medicine)

Precipitation (pronounced: pre-si-pi-tay-shun) in the context of medicine refers to the process by which a substance is separated from a solution as a solid. This process is often used in laboratory settings to isolate specific compounds or substances.

Etymology

The term "precipitation" comes from the Latin word "praecipitare" which means "to throw or fall headlong". In the context of chemistry and medicine, it refers to the "falling out" of a solid from a solution.

Process

In a medical laboratory, precipitation is often used to separate a specific substance from a solution. This is done by changing the conditions of the solution, such as its temperature or pH, which causes the substance to become insoluble and form solid particles. These particles can then be collected and analyzed.

Related Terms

  • Solubility: The property of a solid, liquid, or gaseous chemical substance called solute to dissolve in a solid, liquid, or gaseous solvent.
  • Sedimentation: The process of settling or being deposited as a sediment.
  • Centrifugation: The process of separating substances of different densities by the use of a centrifuge.
  • Supernatant: The liquid lying above a solid residue after crystallization, precipitation, centrifugation, or other process.

Applications

Precipitation is used in various medical and scientific fields. In biochemistry, it is used to isolate specific proteins from a solution. In clinical pathology, it is used to test for certain substances in the blood or urine. In pharmacology, it is used in the formulation of certain drugs.

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