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pipette

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Definition

A pipette is a laboratory tool used to transfer small liquid volumes accurately. It consists of a long, thin tube with a bulb at the top. The bulb is used to suck up liquid, and the tube is used to dispense it.

Pipettes are typically made of glass or plastic. They come in a variety of sizes, each with a specific volume range. The most common types of pipettes are:

  • Volumetric pipettes: These pipettes are used to measure and transfer a precise volume of liquid. They have a calibrated scale on the side that shows the amount of liquid that has been transferred.
  • Serological pipettes: These pipettes are used to transfer a variable volume of liquid. They have a bulb at the top and a tapered tip. The amount of liquid that is transferred is controlled by the amount of suction that is applied to the bulb.
  • Micropipettes: These pipettes are used to transfer very small amounts of liquid. They have a very thin tip and can be used to measure and transfer volumes as small as 1 microlitre.

Pipettes are used in a variety of scientific applications, including:

  • Chemical analysis: Pipettes are used to measure and transfer reagents and samples in chemical analysis.
  • Biochemistry: Pipettes are used to measure and transfer proteins, nucleic acids, and other biological molecules in biochemistry.
  • Microbiology: Pipettes are used to transfer bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in microbiology.
  • Cell biology: Pipettes are used to transfer cells and cell components in cell biology.

Pipettes are an essential tool for scientists in a variety of fields. They allow for the precise measurement and transfer of small liquid volumes, which is essential for many scientific experiments.

How can the word be used?

The technician calibrated the pipette before using it to measure the volume of a liquid.

pipette

Different forms of the word

Noun:

  • pipette (a small glass or plastic tube used to measure and transfer small amounts of liquid).
  • micropipette (a very small pipette that is used to measure and transfer very small amounts of liquid).

Verb:

  • pipette (to transfer liquid using a pipette).

Etymology

The word "pipette" comes from the French word "pipette", which means "small pipe".

The word "pipette" was first used in English in the 18th century. It was used to refer to a small glass tube that was used to draw up and transfer small amounts of liquid.

The root of the word "pipette" is the Latin word "pipia", which also means "pipe".

So, the word "pipette" literally means "small pipe". This is a reference to the fact that a pipette is a small tube that is used to transfer liquid.

Question

What is a pipette used for?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Explain the purpose of a pipette in laboratory settings and describe how it is used to measure and transfer liquids accurately. Discuss the different types of pipettes available and their respective applications in scientific experiments.

Answer:

A pipette is a laboratory tool used for accurate and precise measurement and transfer of liquids. It plays a crucial role in various scientific experiments, ensuring that specific volumes of liquids are handled with precision.

To use a pipette, a sample of liquid is drawn into the pipette tip using a mechanical or electronic mechanism. The user then releases the liquid into a receiving vessel, such as a test tube or well plate. Pipettes are designed to measure specific volumes, often ranging from microlitres to millilitres.

Two common types of pipettes are the volumetric pipette and the micropipette. Volumetric pipettes are used for measuring precisely fixed volumes, while micropipettes offer more versatility and are adjustable for various volume ranges. Micropipettes are further classified into single-channel and multi-channel pipettes, suitable for single or multiple liquid transfers simultaneously.

Pipettes are indispensable in fields like chemistry, biology, and medicine. They ensure accurate preparation of solutions, proper dilutions, and reproducibility of results. In medical diagnostics, micropipettes are used for DNA sequencing and molecular assays.