Micropipette

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Micropipettes can refer to two different types of pipettes used in the laboratory. Both are explained in detail further down.

Borosilicate glass micropipette pulled with a Flaming/Brown micropipette puller P-97
Borosilicate glass micropipette pulled with a Flaming/Brown micropipette puller P-97

[edit] Glass micropipettes

These micropipettes are used in microinjection, micromanipulation and measuring experiments. Many types and sizes of glass tubing are available, mainly in three different compositions: borosilicate, aluminosilicate and quartz. Each composition has its own unique properties and the right selection is determined by the application it is used for. Usually a machine called a micropipette puller is used to make them.

A Gilson multichannel adjustable micropipette. This one has only four channels in use.
A Gilson multichannel adjustable micropipette. This one has only four channels in use.

[edit] Adjustable micropipettes

See more at Pipette

Micropipettes are mainly used in biological and chemistry experiments. Normal glass pipettes which are used in chemical labs are not highly accurate for volumes less than 1 ml, but micropipettes (autopipettes) are both accurate and precise. Various sizes of micropipettes allow for accurate measurements of volumes less than 1µl, or as large as 1000µl (1ml).

[edit] See also

 This biology article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This science article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.