Blood plasma is prepared by collecting whole blood in a tube treated with an anticoagulant to prevent clotting, followed by centrifugation to separate the blood cells from the liquid plasma.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Collection with Anticoagulant: Whole blood is drawn into a sterile collection tube. Critically, this tube contains an anticoagulant substance (e.g., EDTA, heparin, or citrate). The anticoagulant prevents the blood from clotting, ensuring that the blood remains in a liquid state.
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Centrifugation: The blood-filled tube is then placed in a centrifuge. Centrifugation is a process that spins the tube at a high speed. This process separates the blood into its different components based on density. The heavier components (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets) are forced to the bottom of the tube, forming a solid pellet.
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Plasma Separation: The lighter, liquid component – the plasma – remains on top of the cell pellet. This plasma is the straw-colored fluid that contains water, salts, enzymes, antibodies, and other proteins.
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Extraction: Finally, the plasma is carefully extracted from the tube using a Pasteur pipette or other appropriate laboratory equipment. The separated plasma is then ready for use in various applications, such as diagnostic testing, research, or therapeutic treatments. Great care is taken during this step to avoid disturbing the cell pellet and contaminating the plasma sample.
In summary, preparing blood plasma involves preventing blood clotting with an anticoagulant, separating the blood cells using centrifugation, and carefully extracting the resulting plasma.
