Micropipettes
Measuring volumes which are
what we scientists call
“very, very small”
MICROPIPETTE RULES
•Don’t set the pipettes past their
intended range (high or low), even
though you can – set the pipette volume
only within the range specified for that
micropipette
P-20 range is 2 – 20 ul
P-100 range is 20 – 100 ul
P-200 range is 20 – 200 ul
P-1000 range is 200 – 1000 ul
•When using a micropipette, first apply a tip.
•Check to be sure the tip is on securely.
•Only open the tip box when getting a tip –
DON’T LEAVE IT OPEN!
•NEVER hold pipette so that the tip is higher
than the handle or liquid leaks into the barrel
(BAD!)
•Always hold pipettes vertically
when in use.
•Feel the stops before you begin taking up or
dispensing any liquid.
st
1 stop: Exact
volume to which the
pipette is set. Press
to this stop before
immersing pipette
tip in the desired
solution.
2nd stop: Use when
dispensing solution.
Pushes an extra
volume of air to
dislodge any
solution adhering to
the tip.
How to pipette
•Extract and dispense SLOWLY.
•When taking up or dispensing
liquid, don’t put the tip any deeper
into the liquid than necessary.
•When dispensing, touch the tip
to the side or bottom of the tube,
or if there is liquid already in the
tube, touch the tip to the liquid.
Mid-range:
2 - 20 µL
10 -100 µL
20 - 200 µL
Range is printed on
the button or on the
side
Use medium sized
yellow tips
We will be using P-20 and P-200 pipettes
P-20 has a range of 2 - 20 µL
Digits represent
Tens (10’s)
Ones (1’s)
Tenths (1/10’s)
10 -100 µL
This pipette is set to its
maximum:
100 µL
Digits represent:
100’s
10’s
1’s
High Range: 200-1000 µL
Use large blue tips
Digits from top to bottom
represent:
1000’s
100’s
10’s
The 1’s are indicated by the
tiny white tick marks in the dial
with the 10’s. Marks are in
increments of 2 µL
This pipette is set to 1000 µL
This pipette is set to
990 µL