Introduction
When conducting an experiment, it
is imperative to have fundamental knowledge of laboratory equipment. Without this rudimentary understanding of the
mechanics behind each apparatus one could not conclude an ideal, uniform
synthesis. One of the most extensively used fundamental tools in labs are,
automatic adjustable pipettes. Automatic adjustable pipettes are highly sought
after due to them yielding very consistent results with spot on accuracy, simplex
understanding and assortment of volumes.
The purpose of our first lab was to
grasp a better understanding and handling of the automatic adjustable pipette via
the Eppendorf line of pipettes. Students
were to familiarize themselves with different volumes and learn how to transition
measurements from one capacity to the next with proper use. Our ideal objective was to feel comfortable
with accurately measuring small volumes of liquids.
Methods and Materials
In order to get the most truthful
result from the micropipettes, one needs to know the correct technique. Ensuring
optimal performance requires precision, accuracy and clarity of use. For this
to occur, one needs to hold the pipette vertical, not slightly at an angle, at
all times that there is liquid in the pipette. This allows for an accurate
reading. Also, by only immersing the tip of the disposable plastic tip in the
liquid solution warrants precision. As
for clarity of use, there are three positions on the delivery button for automatic
adjustable pipette; rest position, first stop and second stop or purge. The two
stop points are distinguishable through gentle degrees of resistance. The first
draws up liquid and the second dispenses liquid. With this knowledge we were
able to perform our first experiment!
There were three parts to this lab.
The first part was for student to get a chance to feel out the pipettes, through
use of the red dye. The second part was to challenge our understanding of which
pipette to use based on the amount of volume needed and correctly calibration. Students
were to gather different volumes of red, yellow, blue and green food coloring
and place a drop of each on top of one another. This allowed students to understand
the use of precision and accuracy through proper procedure. We assess the color that this blob procured,
which in our case was black. After examining the color, we were to measure the
volume of our black drop through the use of the pipette to see if it was the
same volume.
 |
| 4 microliters of red dye |
 |
| Red,yellow,blue and green mixed together |
The third and final fragment of our first lab was to test our
skill. Students were given two micro centrifuge tubes and asked to place
certain volumes of the four colors in each. The first had red and blue while
the second had green and yellow. Students then see there pipette to the total
volume in each centrifuge tube and see if the volume matched the actual volume
in the tubes.
 |
| 200 microliters red, 300 microliters blue |
 |
| 250 microliters green, 200 microliters yellow |
Results
The results from the third part of
our first lab are displayed in table 1 and show that all of the liquid originally
placed in the centrifuge tubes was able to be recollected. Table 1. Volumes of Colors
| Tube | Red | Blue | Green | Yellow | Total | Color |
| #1 | 200 µl | 300 µl | 0 | 0 | 500 µl | Purple |
| #2 | 0 | 0 | 250 µl | 200 µl | 450 µl | Blue |
Discussion
Through the use of this first lab,
students are able to feel confident when using automatic adjustable pipettes in
the future. Each section of this lab allowed students to conceptually
understand and physically see what proper knowledge of equipment can produce.
This lab was fundamental in growing our repertoire in the scientific fields.
With a solid foundation of basics procedure with pipettes, we can only build our
curiosity and gain in our understandings. 