Centrifuge and Blood Centrifugation

Centrifugation of Blood

• Centrifugation is a process that separates blood components based on their densities, with denser components moving to the outside of the centrifuge and less dense components moving to the center.
• A centrifuge achieves this separation by spinning the blood at high speeds, creating a strong centrifugal force that pulls the denser components away from the center.
• The centrifugal force is proportional to the mass of the particle, the radius of the centrifuge, and the speed of rotation.

Separation of Blood Components

• The centrifuge separates blood components into distinct layers based on their densities, with the following order:
  • Erythrocytes (red blood cells) at the bottom (densest)
  • Leukocytes (white blood cells) in the middle
  • Platelets in the middle
  • Plasma (liquid portion of blood) at the top (least dense)

Role of Densities in Separation

• Red blood cells (RBCs) and the plasma fraction separate in a centrifuge due to their significant density difference.
• RBCs have a density of approximately 1.09-1.11 g/mL, while plasma has a density of approximately 1.03-1.05 g/mL.
• The density difference between RBCs and plasma determines the separation, with the denser RBCs moving to the outside of the centrifuge and the less dense plasma moving to the center.

Factors Affecting Separation

• Factors that affect the separation of blood components in a centrifuge include:
  • Speed of rotation: Higher speeds increase the centrifugal force, resulting in better separation.
  • Radius of the centrifuge: A larger radius increases the centrifugal force, resulting in better separation.
  • Time of centrifugation: Longer centrifugation times can result in better separation.
  • Temperature: Temperature can affect the density of blood components, potentially affecting separation.

Learn about the process of blood centrifugation and the separation of blood components based on their densities using a centrifuge.