Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: Squeak on 02/12/2008 04:18:13

Title: Why would a blood sample turn pink with centrifugation?
Post by: Squeak on 02/12/2008 04:18:13

I'm faced with a pretty difficult question for an assessment. Basically, if I were to take a patient's blood sample, mix it with an isotonic solution and centrifuge it and it came out looking pink and straw like, what would cause this?

I was thinking perhaps the red blood cells absorbed too much water and burst, but this would not be the case seeing as the isotonic solution obviously allows osmosis yet prevents diffusion.

I think that the answers are pertaining to some sorts of diseases... any help welcomed, kudos for references.

Shane.

Title: Re: Why would a blood sample turn pink with centrifugation?
Post by: RD on 02/12/2008 05:20:19

Hemolysis  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemolysis) can be caused in-vitro by too high centrifuge rpm, or centrifuging for too long.