Answer :
Final answer:
The longevity of capillary tubes post-use depends on their contents and cleaning. RBCs last 42 days when refrigerated, platelets 5 days at room temperature, and plasma up to a year when frozen. Cleanliness is crucial for reuse in experiments to avoid cross-contamination.
Explanation:
The shelf life of capillary tubes after use can vary depending on what they contained and how they are processed post-use. If capillary tubes were used for blood storage, for instance, red blood cells (RBCs) can be refrigerated in these tubes for up to 42 days, platelets are viable at room temperature for about 5 days, and plasma can be frozen for up to a year. However, if capillary tubes are used in laboratory settings for tests and experiments, it is essential that they are carefully washed, rinsed, and devoid of any contaminants to ensure accurate results in future tests as per instructions following experiments. After their initial use, the longevity of capillary tubes can greatly decrease if proper cleaning procedures following lab protocols are not adhered to. It is imperative that all labels and markings are removed from the capillary tubes with ethanol to prevent any cross-contamination.
