How to Set & Read Micropipettes

Melissa Hero

3 Feb 201716:09

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThis educational video script introduces the use of micro pipettes for precise measurement of small volumes, essential for working with DNA and bacteria. It explains three different sizes of micro pipettes, each with specific volume ranges, and how to set and read them accurately. The script also covers the importance of pipette care, including holding them upright, using tips to avoid contamination, and keeping an eye on the tip during use. Additionally, it touches on the use of a centrifuge for balancing and spinning tubes to collect liquid droplets, emphasizing safety and proper technique.

Takeaways

🔬 Micropipettes are used for accurately measuring and dispensing very small volumes of liquids, essential for working with DNA and bacteria.
📏 Micropipettes come in three different sizes, each designed to measure a specific range of volumes: smallest, medium, and largest.
📊 The smallest micropipette (P20) measures volumes from 2 to 20 microliters, the medium (P200) from 20 to 200 microliters, and the largest (P1000) from 100 to 1000 microliters.
🔢 Microliters are a unit of volume where 1 microliter is one-thousandth of a milliliter, requiring a shift of the decimal point three places to convert from milliliters.
📝 Each micropipette has a specific designation (P20, P200, P1000) and color-coded plunger parts to help users identify the correct tool for the required volume.
👀 The micropipettes have side windows that display the set volume in microliters, with place values indicated by the position of the digits and the presence of a red line or comma.
⚠️ It's crucial to use the correct micropipette for the desired volume and to ensure the set volume is within the pipette's measuring range.
🚫 Pipetting rules include always holding the pipette upright to prevent damage and ensure accurate volume measurement.
🧪 Never pipette without a tip to avoid contamination, and always use a fresh tip for each sample to maintain sterility.
👁️ Always keep your eyes on the pipette tip while dispensing liquid to ensure accuracy and avoid sucking up air.
🌀 Centrifuges are used to gather drops at the bottom of the reaction tube and to balance tubes during spinning;不平衡的离心机会发出噪音并可能损坏设备。

Q & A

What are the three different sizes of micropipettes mentioned in the transcript?
-The three different sizes of micropipettes mentioned are the smallest one for measuring 2 to 20 microliters, the medium-sized one for measuring 20 to 200 microliters, and the largest one for measuring 100 to 1,000 microliters.
How are micropipettes labeled in terms of their maximum capacity?
-Micropipettes are labeled with 'P' followed by the maximum amount they can measure in microliters, such as P20, P200, and P1000.
What is the significance of the red numbers on the micropipette's dialing window?
-The red numbers on the micropipette's dialing window represent either a decimal point (for P20) or a comma (for P1000), which helps in setting and reading the correct volume measurement.
How do you convert milliliters to microliters?
-To convert milliliters to microliters, you move the decimal point three places to the right.
What is the overlap in the volume measurement range between the P200 and P1000 micropipettes?
-The overlap in the volume measurement range between the P200 and P1000 micropipettes is that both can measure volumes up to 200 microliters.
Why is it important to hold the micropipette in an upright position when in use?
-Holding the micropipette in an upright position is important to prevent liquid from entering the barrel, which could damage the pipette and affect its accuracy in measuring volumes.
What is the purpose of using pipette tips?
-Pipette tips are used to prevent contamination of samples. They ensure that the liquid being transferred does not come into contact with the barrel of the pipette, and they are discarded after a single use.
Why should you always keep your eyes on the pipette tip while pipetting?
-Keeping your eyes on the pipette tip ensures that you can accurately monitor the liquid level as you pipette, preventing the possibility of drawing in air if the liquid level drops too low.
What is the purpose of a centrifuge in a laboratory setting?
-A centrifuge is used to separate components of a mixture or to collect droplets at the bottom of a tube by spinning at high speeds, which creates a force that pulls the components to the bottom.
How should you balance the tubes in a centrifuge?
-Tubes in a centrifuge should be balanced by ensuring that the amount of liquid in each tube is equal and that they are positioned symmetrically within the centrifuge. For an odd number of tubes, you may need to spin fewer tubes at a time and then add the remaining tubes.
What should you do if you hear a loud, squealing, or whistling noise from the centrifuge?
-If you hear a loud, squealing, or whistling noise from the centrifuge, you should stop the process immediately, as it may indicate an imbalance. Check the positioning of the tubes and the amount of liquid in each to ensure proper balance.

Outlines

00:00

🧪 Introduction to Micropipettes

This paragraph introduces the use of micropipettes for measuring and handling very small volumes of liquids, specifically for working with DNA and bacteria. It explains that micropipettes come in three different sizes, each with a specific range for measuring volumes: the smallest (P20) for 2 to 20 microliters, the medium (P200) for 20 to 200 microliters, and the largest (P1000) for 100 to 1000 microliters. The paragraph also describes the visual indicators on the pipettes, such as color-coded plungers and windows with place values to set the desired volume. It emphasizes the importance of using the correct pipette for the volume range and understanding the place values for accurate measurement.

05:02

📏 Reading and Setting Micropipettes

The second paragraph delves into how to read and set the micropipettes. It clarifies the significance of the red numbers and commas on the pipettes, which indicate decimal points or thousand separators, respectively. The paragraph provides an exercise for students to practice selecting the appropriate pipette for given volumes and to correct any logical errors in a provided example. It also includes a step-by-step guide on how to adjust the pipette to the correct volume, ensuring that users understand the place values and the overlap in the pipettes' measuring ranges.

10:02

📋 Pipetting Rules and Techniques

This paragraph outlines the four essential rules for pipetting: 1) Always hold the pipette in an upright position to prevent damage and ensure accurate volume measurement. 2) Never pipette without a tip to avoid contamination and direct contact between the pipette barrel and the liquid. 3) Dispose of tips after a single use to maintain sample integrity. 4) Keep the pipette tip at eye level during use to monitor the liquid level and prevent air from being drawn into the pipette. Additionally, the paragraph discusses the use of a centrifuge to gather drops at the bottom of the reaction tube and the importance of balancing the centrifuge to prevent damage and ensure proper spinning.

15:03

🔄 Centrifuge Safety and Operation

The final paragraph focuses on the safe operation of a centrifuge. It advises users to wait for the centrifuge to reach full speed before stopping it and to open the lid only after it has completely stopped to avoid injury. The importance of balancing the centrifuge is reiterated, with instructions on how to arrange tubes with equal amounts of liquid to maintain balance. The paragraph also provides troubleshooting tips for dealing with an unbalanced centrifuge, such as redistributing the tubes or adjusting the amount of liquid in them. It concludes with a warning to stop using the centrifuge if it makes a loud or squealing noise, indicating an imbalance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Micro pipets

Micro pipets are precision instruments used to measure and transfer very small volumes of liquid, typically in the microliter range. They are essential tools in scientific research and experiments, especially when dealing with substances like DNA and bacteria that require high accuracy in measurement. In the video, micro pipets are introduced as the primary tool for handling tiny amounts of liquid, and different sizes are explained based on the volume they can measure.

💡DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is a molecule that carries the genetic instructions for the growth, development, functioning, and reproduction of all known living organisms. In the context of the video, DNA is mentioned as one of the substances that students will be working with, highlighting the need for accurate and precise measurement tools like micro pipets.

💡Bacteria

Bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that are present everywhere in the environment, including in the human body. They play a crucial role in various biological processes. The video emphasizes the use of micro pipets when working with bacteria, due to the minute quantities involved in such experiments.

💡Microliters

A microliter is a unit of volume in the metric system, equal to one-millionth of a liter. It is often used in scientific measurements, particularly in biology and chemistry, to denote very small quantities of liquid. The video explains the concept of microliters and how to convert from more familiar units like milliliters to microliters, which is crucial for understanding the scale of measurements when using micro pipets.

💡P20, P200, P1000

These designations refer to specific models of micro pipets, where the 'P' stands for 'pipette' and the numbers indicate the highest volume measurement in microliters that each pipette can accurately measure. P20 is for the smallest volume, P200 for medium volumes, and P1000 for the largest volumes. These are used to demonstrate the different ranges of measurement available and how to select the appropriate pipette for a given task.

💡Place values

Place values refer to the position of a digit within a number, which determines the value of that digit. In the context of the video, place values are important for understanding how to read and set the measurements on the micro pipets. Each window on the pipette's side indicates a specific place value, and the video provides a detailed explanation of how to interpret these, especially with the presence of a decimal or a comma for larger volumes.

💡Centrifuge

A centrifuge is a piece of laboratory equipment that uses centrifugal force to separate particles from a solution. In the video, the centrifuge is mentioned as a tool to collect droplets that may be stuck to the sides of a tube, ensuring that all the liquid is at the bottom of the tube before further processing or analysis.

💡Contamination

Contamination refers to the presence of impurities or unwanted substances that can interfere with the results of an experiment. The video stresses the importance of avoiding contamination by not reusing pipette tips and by ensuring that the pipette is always held in an upright position to prevent any liquid from entering the barrel and contaminating the sample.

💡Upright position

Holding the pipette in an upright position is a crucial rule when using micro pipets to ensure accuracy and prevent damage to the instrument. If the pipette is held sideways or upside down, liquid could enter the barrel, which can lead to inaccurate measurements and potential damage to the pipette. The video emphasizes this rule to maintain the integrity of the experiment.

💡Pipet padding rules

The video outlines four key rules for pipetting to ensure accurate and safe handling of the pipettes. These include holding the pipette upright, never pipetting without a tip, not using the same tip twice to avoid contamination, and always watching the tip at eye level to monitor the liquid level and prevent air from being drawn into the pipette. These rules are essential for maintaining the accuracy and reliability of the pipetting process.

💡Reaction tubes

Reaction tubes, also known as sample tubes or test tubes, are cylindrical vessels used in laboratories to hold and manipulate small quantities of liquid or solid chemicals during experiments. In the context of the video, reaction tubes are used to hold DNA and bacteria samples, and the importance of keeping them tightly closed and balanced during centrifugation is discussed to prevent spillage and ensure accurate results.

Highlights

Introduction to setting and reading micro pipets for accurate measurement of small volumes.

Comparison between traditional plastic pipets and micro pipets for DNA and bacteria.

Explanation of three different micro pipet sizes and their respective volume ranges.

Identification of micro pipet sets by table number for organized usage.

Description of the plunger part and color coding on micro pipets.

Understanding of microliters and conversion from milliliters to microliters.

Overlap in volume measurement between medium and large micro pipets.

Naming convention of micro pipets: P20, P200, and P1000.

Demonstration of how to set the volume on micro pipets using side windows.

Importance of place values in reading the volume settings on micro pipets.

Use of red numbers and commas for thousand's place in P1000 pipet readings.

Guidance on selecting the correct micro pipet for specific volume measurements.

Practice exercise for students to determine appropriate pipets for given volumes.

Correction of mistakes in pipetting exercises to ensure proper technique.

Rules for pipetting: holding pipets upright, using tips, and maintaining eye contact with the tip.

Importance of balanced tubes in a centrifuge for proper spinning.

Safety precautions when using a centrifuge to prevent accidents.

Transcripts

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Takeaways

Q & A

What are the three different sizes of micropipettes mentioned in the transcript?

How are micropipettes labeled in terms of their maximum capacity?

What is the significance of the red numbers on the micropipette's dialing window?

How do you convert milliliters to microliters?

What is the overlap in the volume measurement range between the P200 and P1000 micropipettes?

Why is it important to hold the micropipette in an upright position when in use?

What is the purpose of using pipette tips?

Why should you always keep your eyes on the pipette tip while pipetting?

What is the purpose of a centrifuge in a laboratory setting?

How should you balance the tubes in a centrifuge?

What should you do if you hear a loud, squealing, or whistling noise from the centrifuge?