Cell Fractionation Flashcards

• Cell Fractionation


  The process of separating organelles from the rest of the cell using various techniques.
• Homogenisation


  The breaking up of the cell to release organelles into a solution for further analysis.
• Filtration


  The separation of cell debris from organelles by passing the cell suspension through a gauze or filter.
• Ultracentrifugation


  The technique used to separate organelles by spinning the cell suspension at increasing speeds in a centrifuge.
• Isotonic Solution


  A solution with the same concentration as the cells, used to prevent organelle damage during the fractionation process.
• Buffer Solution


  A solution that maintains the correct pH in the cell homogenate, ensuring the stability of organelles.
• Low Temperature


  A cold temperature maintained during cell fractionation to prevent enzyme activity and preserve organelles.
• Nuclei


  The organelles separated first in ultracentrifugation due to their relatively large size and mass.
• Chloroplasts


  The organelles separated second in ultracentrifugation due to their size and mass.
• Mitochondria


  The organelles separated third in ultracentrifugation due to their size and mass.
• Lysosomes


  The organelles separated fourth in ultracentrifugation due to their size and mass.
• Endoplasmic Reticulum


  The organelles separated fifth in ultracentrifugation due to their size and mass.
• Ribosomes


  The organelles separated last in ultracentrifugation due to their relatively small size and mass.
• Cell Homogenate


  A blended liver tissue sample where all cell contents are evenly distributed, used as the starting material for cell fractionation.
• Pellet


  The solid component that settles at the bottom of the centrifuge tube after ultracentrifugation, containing the separated organelles.
• Supernatant


  The fluid above the pellet after ultracentrifugation, containing the unseparated components of the cell.
• Centrifugation


  The process of separating cell components based on their size and density using a centrifuge.
• Osmosis


  The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane, often involved in maintaining the isotonicity of the cell suspension during fractionation.
• Respiration


  The process of using glucose and oxygen to produce energy in cells.
• Glucose Concentration


  The amount of glucose present in the solution used during cell fractionation.
• Validity


  The extent to which a conclusion is supported by evidence and is reliable.
• Control


  An experiment set up without the variable being tested, used as a baseline for comparison.
• Limitations


  The weaknesses or shortcomings of the cell fractionation investigation that may affect the accuracy or generalizability of the results.