The technique used to separate organelles is referred to as Ultracentrifugation or Subcellular Fractionation. It is used to extract undamaged organelles from tissue and separate them so they structure and Biochemistry can be studied in a greater detail under an electron microscope. The process starts with tissue, in this case leaf tissue first being sliced into fine pieces with scissors or a scalpel to decrease size. Fine strips of tissue will then be placed in a test tube.

Cells contain enzymes (proteins) which are static in numerous parts of the cell, if the cell is to be burst these enzymes will start digesting the cell or organelles that they do not normally interact with, so an ice cold environment is used and an ice cold chemical solution called a buffer is added to the tissue, these in term decrease enzyme activity (enzymes become rigid at low temperatures). With the risk of digestion by means of enzymes gone a homogeniser, a fine brush that fits the test tube perfectly and spins (has a slight resemblance to a kitchen blender), is used to burst the cells and create a mixture of organelles. Before continuing the process the mixture is filtered to remove impurities, leaving only the organelles.

The mixture will be placed in an ultracentrifuge; a machine that spins at rapid speeds, thus increasing the gravitational field, this causes the organelles to separate according to size and density. The heavier organelles for example the nuclei will