Methods of studying cells

Question 1

What do we do in preparation of cell fractionation in the homoginiser and why?

Answer 1

The tissue is firstly placed in a cold, buffered solution of the same water potential as the tissue
Cold- to reduce enzyme activity that may break down organelles
Is of the same water potential as the tissue- to prevent cells shrinking or enlarging due to osmotic movement of water in or out of the cell
Buffered- to control PH so it does not fluctuate.

Question 2

Describe the homoginisation stage of the cell fractionation

Answer 2

We use a homoginiser to do this which is a glass tube with a plunger, and we place out tissue sample into this glass tube and we cover this with a buffer solution