In the fractionation of homogenized cells using centrifugation, the primary factor that determines whether a specific cellular component ends up in the supernatant or the pellet is
A) the relative solubility of the component.
B) the size and weight of the component.
C) the percentage of carbohydrates in the component.
D) the presence or absence of nucleic acids in the component.
E) the presence or absence of lipids in the component.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The size and weight of the cellular component are the primary factors that determine whether it ends up in the supernatant or the pellet during centrifugation. Larger and heavier components will settle to the bottom of the tube (pellet), while smaller and lighter components will remain in the liquid portion (supernatant). The other factors listed may influence the solubility or behavior of the cellular component, but they are not the primary determining factors in fractionating the components by centrifugation.

In the Fractionation of Homogenized Cells Using Centrifugation, the Primary