Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

In laboratory settings, what is the primary purpose of using a centrifuge?

1. To sterilize samples

2. To separate components of a mixture

3. To measure pH levels

4. To incubate cultures

The correct answer is: To separate components of a mixture

The primary purpose of using a centrifuge in laboratory settings is to separate components of a mixture. This separation is achieved through the application of centrifugal force, which causes denser particles to move outward, away from the axis of rotation, while less dense components remain closer to the center. By spinning samples at high speeds, a centrifuge can effectively separate solid particles from liquids, separate different types of cells, or isolate various biomolecules based on their size and density. This process is fundamental in many applications, including preparing samples for analysis, purifying biomolecules, and isolating cells from blood or culture media. Other functions, such as sterilizing samples, measuring pH levels, or incubating cultures, are accomplished through different equipment and techniques, which do not involve the physical separation that a centrifuge provides.