How scientists isolate the microscopic building blocks of life
In short: This video explains the laboratory process of cell fractionation, demonstrating how researchers break open cells and use varying centrifugal speeds to separate specific organelles by density.
The video details the four essential stages of cell fractionation: preparing samples in an ice-cold, isotonic, and buffered solution; homogenisation to release cellular contents; filtration to remove large debris; and ultracentrifugation. It explores how the centrifuge separates components into a pellet and a supernatant.
Crucially for AQA A-Level students, the footage illustrates the specific order of separation based on weight, ranging from the heaviest nuclei to lighter components like mitochondria and ribosomes.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: A-Level Biology - Cell Fractionation & Ultracentrifugation (2027/28 exams)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/science-a-level-biology-cell-fractionation-ultracentrifugation-2027-.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Cell biology · More in Science · Latest · A–Z · All topics
