A machine that is used to separate heavier from lighter molecules and cellular components and structures.
A device to separate the components of a liquid by rapid spinning.
A device that uses centrifugal force to separate two or more substances of different density. A simple centrifuge is a container that is spun rapidly to speed the process of separation of substances that normally would separate slowly under the influence of gravity. The spin cycle of an automatic washer is an example of a centrifuge, one in which water is drained away from wet laundry. Another example is a centrifuge that separates blood cells from whole blood.
A device for separating components of different densities in a liquid, using centrifugal force. The liquid is placed in special containers that are spun at high speed around a central axis.
A device that spins test tubes at high speeds. The heavy particles in the liquid settle to the bottom of the tube, and the fighter liquid goes to the top. When unclotted blood is centrifuged, the plasma goes to the top and the heavy red cells go to the bottom of the tube. The white blood cells are heavier than the plasma but fighter than the red blood cells, so they form a thin layer between the red blood cells and the plasma.
This device functions as a centrifuge, which effectively segregates the distinct constituents within a bodily fluid to facilitate analysis. By subjecting a fluid, such as blood, to rapid rotation around a central axis, centrifugal force comes into play, causing particles of different densities, including red and white blood cells, to separate and become independently analyzable.