Micropipetting: Measuring Very Small Volumes in Biotechnology (Lab 3B)

This Biotechnology Basics™ by Ellyn Daugherty is designed to teach students the basic principles of measuring small volumes (<500µl) using micropipettes. The kit is supplied with all the reagents to allow 8 groups of 4 students to learn about P-1000, P-200 or P-100 and P-20 or P-10 micropipettes and undertake a micropipetting challenge. If required kits can be ordered with a 1, 2, 4 or 8 sets of three micropipettes (P20, P200 and P1000). Pipettes are produced by BT Lab Systems

Very tiny amounts of chemicals and biological reagents are used in many biotechnology experiments. To measure these minute volumes, technicians use micropipettes that measure microliter (μL) amounts. This activity introduces micropipetting technique. As with all fine motor skills, learning how to use a micropipette takes practice and determination. Students must be able to measure these very microliter volumes with accuracy. 

This laboratory activity is adapted from “Laboratory 3b: Measuring Very Small Volumes In A Biotechnology Lab” from Biotechnology: Science for the New Millennium Laboratory Manual by Ellyn Daugherty. For more information about the program, please visit www.emcp.com/biotechnology. This kit is produced under license from Paradigm Publishing, Inc., a division of New Mountain Learning.