Definition

1. Noun:
   • Centrifugation at very high speeds: A process of separating particles from a solution by subjecting it to an extremely high centrifugal force, achieved by spinning at exceptionally high rotational speeds.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The isolation of ribosomes requires ultracentrifugation.
  • Ultracentrifugation is a key technique in purifying viral particles for study.

Advanced Usage

• Analytical ultracentrifugation: A specific application used to study the properties of macromolecules, such as their mass, shape, and interaction, in solution during the high-speed spinning process.

  • The research team used analytical ultracentrifugation to determine the protein's molecular weight.

• Preparative ultracentrifugation: The use of the technique to physically isolate and purify specific biological components, like organelles or nucleic acids.

  • The mitochondrial fraction was obtained through preparative ultracentrifugation.

Variants and Related Words

• Ultracentrifuge (n): The high-speed centrifuge machine used to perform ultracentrifugation.

  • The sample was placed in the ultracentrifuge for two hours.

• Ultracentrifugal (adj): Relating to or involving ultracentrifugation.

  • The ultracentrifugal force achieved was over 500,000 g.

Synonyms

• High-speed centrifugation
• High-g-force separation

Related Phrases

• To subject to ultracentrifugation: The act of processing a sample using this technique.
  • The cell lysate was subjected to ultracentrifugation to pellet the membranes.

Noun

1. centrifugation at very high speeds