BCH Lab 2

Centrifugation and separation of eukaryotic nucleus from other cellular

components
Centrifugation is a mechanical process which involves the use of the centrifugal force to separate
particles from a solution according to their size, shape and density. Mainly, there are two types
of centrifugations.

1) Differential centrifugation

The simplest form of separation by centrifugation is differential centrifugation, sometimes called

differential pelleting. Particles of different densities or sizes in a suspension will sediment at
different rates, with the larger and denser particles sedimenting faster. These sedimentation rates
can be increased by using centrifugal force. A suspension of cells subjected to a series of
increasing centrifugal force cycles will yield a series of pellets containing cells of decreasing
sedimentation rate.

2) Density gradient centrifugation

Density gradient centrifugation is based on the principle that molecules settle down under a
centrifugal force until they reach a medium with the density the same as theirs. In this
case, a medium with a density gradient is employed. e.g., ficoll, sucrose.