Measurement & Micropipetting

Metric conversions Will be measuring extremely small amounts of liquids – less than a drop! Units we use are milliliters, mL, (0.001 of a liter) and microliters, μL, (0.001 of a milliliter)

Metric conversions One Liter is almost equal to one quart (32 oz.)

Using Micropipettors $185

Using Micropipettors Never: Rotate volume beyond the upper or lower range of the pipet Use without a tip. Lay a filled pipettor down

Using Micropipettors Never: Let the plunger snap back Immerse the barrel in fluid Use a flame on the tip for sterilization

Using Micropipettors Two sizes: Yellow (smallest) 1-20 μL Blue (largest) 100-1000 μL

Reading Micropipettors Tens Ones Tenths

Reading Micropipettors What’s the reading for this setting? 9.0 μL!!

Reading Micropipettors Thousands Hundreds Tens

Reading Micropipettors What’s the reading? 100 μL

Reading Micropipettors What’s the reading? 570 μL

Directions for Use Set desired volume Put tip on barrel Press plunger down to 1st stop position Place tip into liquid Slowly release plunger to draw up fluid into the tip

Directions for Use 6. Slide pipet tip out dragging it on the side wall to get rid of any excess droplets 7. Make sure there is no air space at tip end 8. Touch tip on inside of new tube and slowly depress plunger to first stop and then on to the second stop.