What is a common use of centrifuges in laboratory settings?

Centrifuges are commonly used in laboratory settings to separate components based on their density. The principle behind this process relies on the application of centrifugal force, which causes denser materials to move outward toward the bottom of the centrifuge tube, while lighter components remain closer to the top. This separation is essential in various applications, including the isolation of blood components (such as plasma and sediment), the separation of cellular organelles, and the purification of biomolecules.

In contrast, heating samples quickly is not a function of centrifuges; they are not designed for that purpose. Cleaning glassware is typically done using detergents, water, or specialized equipment, rather than centrifugation. While centrifuges can mix some samples, their primary purpose is not to mix chemicals thoroughly but to separate them instead.