buffy coat
white blood cells and platelets
The buffy coat is a part of a blood sample that contains white blood cells and platelets. When a blood sample is taken and allowed to settle, three distinct layers form: the top layer is plasma, the middle layer is the buffy coat, and the bottom layer is red blood cells. The buffy coat is composed of a mixture of white blood cells (leukocytes) and platelets (thrombocytes). The white blood cells in the buffy coat include different types such as neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes.
The buffy coat is usually separated from the red blood cells and plasma by centrifugation, which isolates the buffy coat for further analysis or experimentation. The buffy coat has many diagnostic and therapeutic uses, such as in the extraction of stem cells for bone marrow transplants, monitoring immunosuppressed individuals, and detecting viral infections. In summary, the buffy coat is an important component of blood that contains essential immune and clotting cells important for maintaining good health in an individual.
More Answers:
Leukocytes: The Essential Immune System Cells Fighting Infections, Parasites, and MoreErythrocytes: The Lifespan, Production, and Functions of Red Blood Cells in the Body
Complex Process of Blood Clotting: Causes, Effects and Prevention