10) Lab Essentials : Micro-Pipette

Microbiology Lab Essentials :

10) Micro-Pipette : Micropipettes are utilized in the laboratory to transfer small quantities of liquid, usually down to 0.1 uL. They are most commonly used in chemistry, biology, forensic, pharmaceutical, and drug discovery labs, among others.

Steps to follow when using a micropipette :

✓Select the volume.

✓Set the tip.

✓Press and hold the plunger at the first stop.

✓Place the tip in the liquid.

✓Slowly release the plunger.

✓Pause for a second and then move the tip.

✓Insert the tip into the delivery vessel.

✓Press the plunger to the second stop.

Pipettes and micropipettes are used to measure and deliver accurate volumes of liquid.

The difference between the two is that micropipettes measure a much smaller volume, starting at 1 microliter, while pipettes generally start at 1 milliliter.

Micropipette operate on same Principle : 

A plunger is depressed by the thumb and as it is released, liquid is drawn into a disposable plastic tip. When the plunger is pressed again, the liquid is dispensed.

Micropipettes work by air displacement. The operator depresses a plunger that moves an internal piston to one of two different positions. 

The first stop is used to fill the micropipette tip, and the second stop is used to dispense the contents of the tip.

Within pipette calibration there are five widely used grades of pipettes, all of which have specific guidelines and requirements regarding use, testing, maintenance, and measurement. 

The five grades of pipettes include disposable/transfer, graduated/serological, single channel, multichannel, and repeat pipette.

Basic parts of a micropipette include plunger button, tip ejector button, volume adjustment dial, volume display, tip ejector, and shaft. They differ in design, weight, plunger force, and overall precision