Question

When whole blood is centrifuged, WBCs, RBCs, platelets, and plasma form separate layers. Please describe the layers in order of separation.

A) Plasma, Platelets, WBCs, RBCs
B) RBCs, WBCs, Platelets, Plasma
C) Plasma, WBCs, Platelets, RBCs
D) RBCs, Platelets, WBCs, Plasma

Answer 1

The correct order of separation when blood is centrifuged is Plasma, WBCs, Platelets, and RBCs. Plasma forms the topmost layer, followed by a buffy coat of WBCs and platelets, with RBCs at the bottom.

Step-by-step explanation:

When whole blood is centrifuged, the components separate based on their densities. The correct order of separation from top to bottom is: Plasma, White Blood Cells (WBCs), Platelets, Red Blood Cells (RBCs). Therefore, the correct answer is C) Plasma, WBCs, Platelets, RBCs. Plasma, which makes up about 55% of the blood, is the lightest component and forms the top layer. Below the plasma is the buffy coat, which is a thin, pale layer that includes both the WBCs and the Platelets. These account for less than 1% of the blood. The heaviest and most abundant cells, the RBCs or erythrocytes, settle at the very bottom and make up about 45% of the blood.