Hematocrit Determination
Purpose: The hematocrit refers to the percentage of one's red blood cells. For a female the average hematocrit reading is 42 (38-46), and for a male the average reading is 42 (40-54) . The purpose of this investigation is to determine your hematocrit using a capillary tube centrifuge and hematocrit reader.
Materials and Methods: This experiment requires alcohol, lancet, capillary tube, clay sealer, latex gloves, capillary tube centrifuge, and hematocrit reader, and two student volunteers.
Experiment: One student will stick the finger of the other and collect blood in a capillary tube. (The student who is drawing the blood with the lancet should wear gloves. The student who provides the blood should clean the finger with alcohol.) Seal the end of the capillary tube with clay and place the tube in the centrifuge. Make sure an empty capillary tube is opposite your tube to ensure that the centrifuge is balanced. Spin the capillary tube for five minutes.
Remove the capillary tube and observe the the red zone (red blood cells), buff zone (white blood cells), and the layer of plasma.
Place the capillary tube in the hematocrit reader and determine your hematocrit. (Instructions are located on the reader.)
Your hematocrit: __________________
Conclusion: Is your hematocrit within the normal range?
What is the buff?
What is the difference between anemia and polycythemia?