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Cells can be ruptured and their contents collected after a series of centrifugation at different speeds - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 5 - 2009 - Paper 1
Question 5
Cells can be ruptured and their contents collected after a series of centrifugation at different speeds. The largest components sediment and form a pellet at a relat... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Cells can be ruptured and their contents collected after a series of centrifugation at different speeds - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 5 - 2009 - Paper 1
Step 1
The sequence of pellets obtained in tubes 1, 2, 3 and 4 would be:
Answer
To determine the sequence of pellets, we need to consider the order of sedimentation based on the sizes and densities of the cellular components. In the first tube, the largest components will settle first, which are typically the nuclei. In subsequent tubes, smaller components like the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and ribosomes will sediment in that order.
Therefore, the correct sequence will be: 1) nuclei, 2) endoplasmic reticulum, 3) ribosomes, 4) mitochondria. Hence, the answer is option C: nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes. This matches the process of differential centrifugation where the components are separated based on size and density.