Blood fractionation

Blood Fractionation

Blood fractionation (/blʌd frækʃəˈneɪʃən/) is a process in which blood is divided into its component parts, often for the purpose of medical treatment or scientific research.

Etymology

The term "blood fractionation" is derived from the Latin fractio, meaning "a breaking" or "a division", and the English word "blood", referring to the vital liquid that circulates in the bodies of many types of animals.

Process

Blood fractionation involves separating the blood into its individual components, such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. This is typically achieved through a process known as centrifugation, which uses centrifugal force to separate substances of different densities.

Uses

Blood fractionation is used in a variety of medical and scientific contexts. For example, it can be used to isolate specific components of the blood for transfusion, such as red blood cells or platelets. It is also used in research to study the properties and functions of the different components of blood.

Related Terms

Blood transfusion: The process of transferring blood or blood products into a person's circulation intravenously.
Centrifugation: A process which involves the use of the centrifugal force for the separation of mixtures.
Plasma (blood): The liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended.
Red blood cells: Cells that carry oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs.
White blood cells: Cells of the immune system that are involved in protecting the body against both infectious disease and foreign invaders.
Platelets: Tiny blood cells that help your body form clots to stop bleeding.