Supernatant
Supernatant
Supernatant (pronunciation: soo-per-nay-tant) is a term used in various scientific fields, particularly in biochemistry and chemistry. It refers to the clear liquid lying above a solid residue after centrifugation, precipitation, or other forms of sedimentation.
Etymology
The term 'supernatant' is derived from the Latin word 'supernatans', which means 'floating on top'. It is a combination of 'super' (above) and 'natans' (floating).
Definition
In a laboratory setting, a supernatant is the clear liquid that remains after a solid has been removed from a solution. This can be achieved through various methods such as centrifugation, where the denser components of a mixture are forced to the bottom of a tube, leaving the less dense liquid (the supernatant) at the top.
Usage
Supernatant is often used in the field of biochemistry, where it is used to refer to the liquid component of a sample after centrifugation or precipitation. It is also used in environmental science, where it refers to the water that remains after the heavier particles have settled.
Related Terms
- Centrifugation: A process that involves the use of the centrifugal force for the separation of mixtures.
- Sedimentation: The process of settling or being deposited as a sediment.
- Precipitation (chemistry): The creation of a solid from a solution.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Supernatant
- Wikipedia's article - Supernatant
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