5 Questions
What is the benefit of using swinging buckets in centrifugation?
Facilitates withdrawing supernatant without disturbing the pellet
In which type of rotor do sedimenting particles have a shorter distance to travel before pelleting?
Swinging buckets
Why is the fixed angle rotor considered the most widely used type?
Keeps tubes parallel to the rotational axis
In which rotor type are separate bands formed across the tube's diameter, not its length?
Fixed angle
When is the vertical tube rotor preferred in gradient centrifugation?
When some sample components do not participate in the gradient
Study Notes
Rotor Types
- Fixed angle rotors: sedimenting particles have a short distance to travel before pelleting, resulting in shorter run times, making them the most widely used rotor type.
Characteristics
- Swinging buckets rotors: cross-section is longer, allowing better separation in density gradient centrifugation, and making it easier to withdraw supernatant without disturbing the pellet.
Orientation
- In rotation: tubes are positioned parallel to the rotational axis, resulting in separate bands formed across the tube's diameter, not its length.
Applications
- Vertical tube rotors: used for gradient centrifugation when some sample components do not participate in the gradient.
Learn about the different types of centrifuge rotors including fixed angle, swinging buckets, and vertical tube rotors. Understand their characteristics, cross-sections, and positions in rotation for optimal centrifugation results.
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