Which laboratory equipment is used to separate components of blood?

The centrifuge is specifically designed to separate the components of blood based on their density. When blood is placed in a centrifuge and spun at high speeds, the centrifugal force causes the heavier elements, such as red blood cells, to settle at the bottom of the container, while lighter components, such as plasma, remain at the top. This separation is crucial for various laboratory tests and analyses, allowing for the examination of specific blood components.

The other equipment mentioned serves different functions. A microscope is primarily used for visualizing samples at a cellular level but does not separate components. A refractometer measures the refractive index of liquids, which can be useful for assessing concentrations, but it does not facilitate the separation of blood components. A blood analyzer, although essential in analyzing the composition of blood, processes whole blood samples and does not perform the physical separation of components like a centrifuge does.