What is the Difference Between Cell Fractionation and Centrifugation?

Cell fractionation and centrifugation are both methods used to separate cellular components, but they serve different purposes and are not the same process. Here are the main differences between the two:

• Purpose: Cell fractionation is a complete process of separating cells and their subcellular components, such as organelles and other cellular components. Centrifugation, on the other hand, is a sub-step of cell fractionation that involves the use of centrifugal force to differentiate cellular and subcellular components.
• Equipment: Cell fractionation uses both a homogenizer and a centrifuge, while centrifugation only uses a centrifuge.
• Scope: Centrifugation is the first step in most fractionations, but it separates only components that differ greatly in size. A finer degree of separation can be achieved by layering the homogenate in a thin band on top of a salt solution and centrifuging it.

In summary, cell fractionation is a broader process that involves the use of both a homogenizer and a centrifuge to separate cellular components, while centrifugation is a sub-step within that process that relies solely on a centrifuge to differentiate cellular and subcellular components based on their size and density.

Comparative Table: Cell Fractionation vs Centrifugation

Cell fractionation and centrifugation are methods used to separate and study cellular components. Here is a table comparing the two:

Cell fractionation is a complete process that involves homogenization, filtration, and centrifugation to separate and study cellular components. Centrifugation, on the other hand, is a sub-step within the cell fractionation process that uses a centrifuge to separate cellular components based on their size, density, and shape.