SUPERNATANTS Meaning and
Definition
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Supernatants refer to the liquid layer that lies above the solid residue after a precipitate has settled at the bottom of a container. It is the clear or partially clear fluid that is left after the process of sedimentation or centrifugation, where the denser particles settle down due to gravity or centrifugal force.
In scientific and laboratory settings, supernatants are commonly obtained during various procedures such as cell culture, chemical reactions, and biological sample preparation. These fluids often contain dissolved substances, cellular components, or solutes that are of interest in research or analysis.
Supernatants can vary widely in composition depending on the nature of the starting material and the specific process employed. They can contain a range of molecules, including proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, lipids, salts, and metabolites. Researchers often collect and analyze supernatants to investigate biological processes, study molecular interactions, or assess the presence and concentration of particular substances.
Supernatants are usually separated from the sedimented material by carefully decanting or pipetting the liquid without disturbing the settled particles. The resulting fluid can then be subjected to further analysis, such as spectrophotometry, chromatography, or enzymatic assays. By studying the characteristics of supernatants, researchers can gain valuable insights into the properties and behavior of the substances present in a sample, thus aiding in scientific investigations across various fields.
Etymology of SUPERNATANTS
The word "supernatants" is a plural noun derived from the word "supernatant".
The etymology of "supernatant" can be traced back to the Latin term "supernatans", which is the present participle of the verb "supernatare". This Latin word is made up of two components - "super", meaning "above" or "over", and "natans", the present participle of "natare", meaning "to swim" or "to float".
When used in a scientific context, the term "supernatant" refers to the liquid or solution that remains after a solid has settled at the bottom of a container. In biology and chemistry, this term is commonly used in experiments involving the separation of solid particles from a liquid medium.
Similar spelling words for SUPERNATANTS
- supermarket,
- superannuate,
- superannuation,
- superhuman,
- supernaturalism,
- subornation,
- superintend,
- supernatural,
- supernaturally,
- supernaturalist,
- superintendent,
- supernova,
- supernatant,
- supernormal.
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