1. Proper Micropipette Technique and Slide Preparation
Day 2

2. Proper Micropipetting Technique
Proper Micropipetting Technique
Part 1

3. What is a Micropipette?
Micropipettes are pipets that scientists use to measure and dispense (give out) very precise and small amounts of liquids.
Micropipettes have two main components: the body and the tip.

4. Parts of Micropipette Plunger – 3 Positions (Rest, 1st Stop, 2nd Stop)
Volume Adjustment – The knob you use to adjust the volume
Volume Readout – How much volume you are measuring
Tip Attachment – Where the tip attaches
Tip Eject Button – Button to eject tip
SIDE
FRONT
It is important that with a micropipette, students have a 1 per group (or pair) and a box of tips to follow along with the power point as the teacher goes over the slides and demonstrates with a micropipette for students to see.

5. 1 L = 1000 mL 1 mL = 1000 μL 4 7 2 9 μL UNITS Ones Place
Thousands Place
Hundreds Place
Tens Place
Ones Place

6. 200 – 1000 μL pipette (blue tips)
First RED number is in the thousands place of μL: 0350 μL
20 – 200 μL pipette (yellow tips)
First number is in the hundreds place of μL: 095 μL
2 – 20 μL pipette (yellow tips)
First number is in the tens place of μL; RED number is after the decimal: 02.5 μL
0.2 – 2 μL pipette (white tips)
First number is in the ones place of μL; RED numbers are after the decimal: 0.50 μL

7. Proper Micropipetting Procedure
Draw up the Liquid
Dispense the Liquid
Pick the correct micropipette and set the volume that you wish to obtain.
Hold the micropipette upright at all times.
Push the plunger down to the first position then put it in the liquid.
SLOWLY release the plunger.
With a filled micropipette, slowly push the plunger from rest to Position 3.
Remove tip from the liquid.
Place tip into the waste container.

8. You have until ______ (insert time)
Practice Time!
Complete Section 2.1
You have until ______ (insert time)

9. Preparing Slides
Part 2

10. What is the Purpose of a Microscope?
“Micro-” – Small
“-Scope” – To look at
A microscope is an instrument for viewing what is small by magnifying it.
First invented in 1590 in the Netherlands

11. Parts of a Microscope 3. Objectives 1. Eye piece (Ocular Lens)
4. Stage
2. Adjustment Knob
5. Illuminator

12. Parts of a Microscope - Definitions
3. Objectives – Different levels of magnification
1. Eye piece (Ocular Lens) – Lens used to view your specimen
4. Stage – Flat platform where slides are placed
2. Adjustment Knob – Focuses the slide under various magnifications
5. Illuminator – A steady light source which illuminates specimen

13. When using microscopes…
Use TWO HANDS when carrying the microscope.
Only use LENS PAPER when cleaning the lens and eyepieces.
Always start with the LOWEST MAGNIFICATION.
Lower the stage ALL THE WAY before placing the slide on the stage.
Focus using the COARSE ADJUSTMENT knob first.

14. Slide Preparation – Materials
Slide
Coverslip
2-5mm pieces of double stick tape
Micropipette
Liquid sample
Nail polish (optional)

15. Slide Preparation – Procedure
Place 2-5 x 20 mm pieces of double sided tape on a slide spaced about 10 mm apart.
Place the coverslip on top of the tape.
Using a micropipette, place 100 μL of your liquid solution in the channel created.
Place under the microscope. Observe.
If students are not finished, you can have them seal their coverslips to their slides with clear nail polish to prevent the slide from drying out overnight.

16. You have until ______ (insert time)
Practice Time!
Complete Section 2.2
You have until ______ (insert time)