Definitions for "fractionation"
the act or process of separating a mixture into portions of different composition, as in distillation or fractional crystallization.
Separation of crude oil into components of differing composition by fractional distillation.
The process used to separate plasma into its component proteins.
Dividing the total dose of radiation into multiple smaller doses (usually administered daily), thereby permitting the surrounding exposed healthy tissue time to repair.
In radiation therapy, dividing the total dose of radiation therapy into several smaller, equal doses delivered over a specified interval, such as several days. This principle also can be applied to giving medication.
A method of delivering radiation therapy in which the total radiation dose is delivered in multiple, small fractions instead of all at one time. Fractionation is effective because normal tissue is usually able to recover from radiation damage in the interval between fractions while cancerous tissue usually takes loner to recover.
During isotopic fractionation, heavy and light isotopes partition differently between two compounds or phases. Isotope fractionation occurs because the bond energy of each isotope is slightly different, with heavier isotopes having stronger bonds and slower reaction rates. The difference in bonding energy and reaction rates are proportional to the mass difference between isotopes. Thus, light elements are more likely to exhibit isotopic fractionation than heavy isotopes.
A laboratory test or process in which blood or another fluid is broken down into its components. Fractionation can be used to assess the proportions of the different types of cholesterol in a blood sample.
Fractional change in the amount of stable isotopes, where one becomes depleted while the other is enriched.