The Centrifuge 🧪

Question 1

What is a centrifuge used for?

Answer 1

To separate particles in a suspension from a liquid

The heavier objects are forced outward by centrifugal force, forming a sediment at the bottom.

Question 2

What is the fluid called that remains after a centrifuge process?

Answer 2

Supernatant

It is the lighter weight fluid left at the top of the tube.

Question 3

What are the two types of centrifuge tubes?

Answer 3

• Conical bottomed
• Round bottomed

Conical bottomed tubes are used for low speeds, while round bottomed tubes are used for high speeds.

Question 4

What is the advantage of an angle head centrifuge?

Answer 4

Higher speeds and faster separation

Tube slots are at a set angle, usually 10 - 60 degrees from vertical.

Question 5

Describe the operation of a swing-out head centrifuge.

Answer 5

Tube buckets swing freely from vertical to horizontal during spinning

This provides a more solid pellet that is less likely to be disturbed when removing the supernatant.

Question 6

What is a microhaematocrit centrifuge designed for?

Answer 6

To measure packed cell volume (PCV) using microhaematocrit tubes

It is specifically designed for this purpose.

Question 7

Fill in the blank: The heavier objects in a centrifuge are forced _______ by centrifugal force.

Answer 7

outward

Question 8

True or False: A conical bottomed centrifuge tube is used for high speeds.

Answer 8

False

Conical bottomed tubes are used for low speeds.

Question 9

What type of centrifuge provides a more solid pellet?

Answer 9

Swing-out head centrifuge

Question 10

List the three types of centrifuge.

Answer 10

• Angle head
• Swing-out head
• Microhaematocrit

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The lighter weight fluid left after centrifugation is called the _______.

Answer 11

supernatant