From your knowledge of the size and density of cell components and the process of centrifugation, predict the order (from first to last) that the nucleus and various cell organelles will be extracted?
A) ribosomes-mitochondria and chloroplasts-nucleus-soluble cytoplasm
B) nucleus-mitochondria and chloroplasts-ribosomes-soluble cytoplasm
C) nucleus-mitochondria and chloroplasts-soluble cytoplasm-ribosomes
D) mitochondria and chloroplasts-nucleus-soluble cytoplasm-ribosomes
E) soluble cytoplasm-ribosomes-mitochondria and chloroplasts-nucleus

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Centrifugation separates components based on their size and density, with denser components settling at the bottom of the tube first. The nucleus is the largest and densest organelle in the cell and will settle at the bottom of the tube first. Mitochondria and chloroplasts are also dense organelles and will be extracted next. Ribosomes are small and not dense and will be extracted after the organelles. Soluble cytoplasm is the least dense and will be extracted last. Therefore, the correct order is nucleus-mitochondria and chloroplasts-ribosomes-soluble cytoplasm.

From Your Knowledge of the Size and Density of Cell