In spun hematocrit, which layer contains leukocytes and platelets?

In spun hematocrit, which layer contains leukocytes and platelets?

• A. Plasma
• B. Red blood cell layer
• C. Buffy coat
• D. Fibrin

Answer: (C)

Spun hematocrit separates blood by density into distinct layers: plasma on top, a thin middle layer called the buffy coat, and the red blood cell mass at the bottom. The leukocytes and platelets reside in the buffy coat because their densities are between those of plasma and red blood cells, so they form a separate middle layer after centrifugation. Fibrin would only appear if the blood had clotted, which would disrupt the clean three-layer separation; with proper anticoagulation, there isn’t a fibrin layer in the spun components.

Spun hematocrit separates blood by density into distinct layers: plasma on top, a thin middle layer called the buffy coat, and the red blood cell mass at the bottom. The leukocytes and platelets reside in the buffy coat because their densities are between those of plasma and red blood cells, so they form a separate middle layer after centrifugation. Fibrin would only appear if the blood had clotted, which would disrupt the clean three-layer separation; with proper anticoagulation, there isn’t a fibrin layer in the spun components.