studying cells Flashcards
cell fractionation
centrifuge spins mushed up cells till they separate denser organelles to the bottom and lighter components of the cell to the top, repeated process to obtain separated components of cells
what is supernatant liquid
smaller organelles of the cell that remain near the top suspended in a liquid
what are the two stages
homogenisation and ultracentrifugation
why is the tissue homogenised
to open the cells and release the organelles
why is the resulting suspension after homogenisation filtered
to get rid of cell debris and half open cells
why is the suspension kept ice cold during the process
to reduce enzyme activity that could damage the organelles
why is isotonic solution used during the process
to stop net movement by osmosis, it has the same water potential as the cells, so that cells do not burst or shrink due to osmosis
why is the solution buffered
to stop the PH of the solution from changing, which could denature the enzymes inside the cell
