Cell structure

• Homogenization


  Breaking up the tissue and breaking open the cells
• Cell fractionation


  1. Take tissue sample

  2. Homogenize tissue

  3. Centrifuge at low speed to separate nucleus

  4. Centrifuge supernatant at higher speed to separate mitochondria

  5. Centrifuge supernatant at higher speed to separate lysosomes

  6. Centrifuge supernatant at very high speed to separate ribosomes
• Centrifuge


  • Spins the sample, causing larger organelles to move towards the bottom of the tube faster than smaller organelles
• Organelles are separated by size during cell fractionation
• Pellets need to be kept on ice to slow down enzymes and prevent damage to organelles
• It is extremely difficult to fully separate the organelles, so fractions may contain small amounts of other organelles
• Other organelles like endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus may be present in the fractions