In a spun hematocrit tube, the buffy coat lies between which two layers?

In a spun hematocrit tube, the buffy coat lies between which two layers?

• A. Plasma and buffy coat
• B. RBCs and Plasma
• C. Buffy coat and RBCs
• D. Plasma and RBCs

Answer: (D)

When a hematocrit tube is spun, components separate by density into three layers: plasma on top, a middle buffy coat, and red blood cells at the bottom. The buffy coat is the layer of white blood cells and platelets that sits between the top plasma and the bottom red blood cells. So the region where the buffy coat lies is between the plasma layer and the RBC layer. The buffy coat is usually a thin layer because the white cells and platelets are less abundant than red cells.

When a hematocrit tube is spun, components separate by density into three layers: plasma on top, a middle buffy coat, and red blood cells at the bottom. The buffy coat is the layer of white blood cells and platelets that sits between the top plasma and the bottom red blood cells. So the region where the buffy coat lies is between the plasma layer and the RBC layer. The buffy coat is usually a thin layer because the white cells and platelets are less abundant than red cells.