The gel seperates the serum from the red blood cells
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After blood is clotted and spun in a centrifuge, it separates into three main components: red blood cells at the bottom, a thin middle layer of white blood cells and platelets called the buffy coat, and plasma at the top. These components can then be analyzed separately to assess various aspects of a person's health.
Typically, blood collection tubes with anticoagulants such as EDTA, heparin, or citrate are spun in the centrifuge to separate the blood components. The specific type of tube used depends on the tests being performed and the desired blood components needed for analysis.
Blood can be separated by centrifuge based on the different densities of its components. When spun in a centrifuge, the heavier components such as red blood cells are forced to the bottom of the tube, while the lighter components such as plasma rise to the top. This allows for easy separation of the different parts of the blood for various analyses or procedures.
To separate plasma from blood using a centrifuge, the blood sample is first collected in a tube. The tube is then placed in the centrifuge and spun at high speeds, causing the blood components to separate based on their density. Plasma, being the lightest component, will rise to the top of the tube, allowing it to be easily pipetted off and collected for further analysis.
Gray top tubes with sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate additive should not be spun in the centrifuge as it can alter test results by causing hemolysis. These tubes are usually used for glucose testing and need to be kept upright to prevent mixing with cells.
Yes, CBC (complete blood count) samples need to be spun down to separate the blood components such as red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets from the plasma for analysis. Spinning down the sample helps ensure accurate results by allowing the different components to be properly identified and counted.