Which statement describes rapid centrifugation in the material?

• A. Horizontal head centrifuge/swinging bucket
• B. Fixed/Angle-head centrifuge
• C. Ultra centrifuge
• D. Cytocentrifuge

Answer: (B)

Rapid centrifugation depends on rotor design to maximize the speed of sedimentation. A fixed-angle head centrifuge holds tubes at a constant angle, so particles are driven along a short, steep path toward the bottom of the tube and experience high relative centrifugal force at a given RPM. This makes it efficient for quickly separating materials. Swinging-bucket rotors, with tubes that swing out and settle horizontally, create a longer sedimentation path and typically achieve lower effective force for the same speed, so they’re slower for rapid separations. Ultra-centrifuges can reach extremely high speeds for specialized applications, but they’re not the standard choice for routine rapid centrifugation. Cytocentrifuges are used to deposit cells onto slides at moderate speeds for cytology, not primarily to achieve rapid bulk separation. So the statement describing rapid centrifugation is the fixed-angle-head centrifuge.