percoll-sucrose gradient

by **zephryin** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 5:20 am

what exactly is a percoll-sucrose gradient?

by **Jelanen** » Mon Mar 07, 2005 3:05 pm

(I'll expound and correct more upon this topic when I get home from work and can snag my reference materials)

A percoll-sucrose gradient is used in conjunction with a centrifuge to separate things by density. It consists of a tube with a solution of sucrose that has a high concentration at the bottom of the tube and a gradient of lower concentration as you rise in the tube for the top, essentially causing the tube to have varying degrees of density depening on your position in the tube. Its used alot in separating cellular components and proteins.

-Jelanen

**checked in my biochem book...I'm close enough**
-Jel