What is the purpose of a centrifuge in a laboratory?

The purpose of a centrifuge in a laboratory is to separate components of a mixture by density. In a centrifuge, the rapid spinning generates a strong centrifugal force, causing denser substances to move outward toward the bottom of the container, while less dense substances remain closer to the top. This allows for the effective separation of different components, such as cells, organelles, or plasma from blood, based on their densities.

Other methods, like amplification of genetic material or sterilization of tools, do not utilize the principles of centrifugal force to achieve their goals, and mixing is typically accomplished through different techniques such as vortexing or stirring.