Lab Report 1:
Pipettes and Std Curve
Ingrid Simons
University of Texas at El Paso
June 12, 2014

Introduction: Procedures that require very small volumes of DNA and reagents are performed with instruments such as, micropipettes and pipettes. These instruments are used when scientists need to accurately and precisely deliver small volumes of a liquid.
Molecular biologists use very small volumes of liquid at times they are as small as 0.1 µL, in order to do these measurements the use micropipettes. The function of the micropipettes is to act as a plunger when the depressed by the thumb and by its release liquid is drawn into a disposable plastic tip. The liquid is released when the plunger is pressed again (The University of QueensLand). The tip is an important part of the micropipette, each tip is disposable and come in different sizes depending of the micropipette being used. There is three standard micropipettes, the P20 which measures 0.5-20μL, P200 that measures 20-200 μL, and P1000 that measures 100 μL to 1 mL. An important part of this laboratory was learning how to read the meniscus curve. A meniscus is a curve that is formed at the surface of a molecular substance, such as water, when it touches another material (USGS). Meniscus is caused by adhesion, a result of water’s high surface tension. The glass beaker attracts water molecules, and water molecules stay together, as a result many molecules gather to touch the glass. They will accumulate along the sides as far as the water’s cohesive forces allow them and until gravity prevents them to move further. In order to read the true volume of the liquid it is essential the center of the liquid in the lube. The main purpose of this laboratory experiment was to acquire the skills needed for future experiments. These skills included how to use pipettes, pipettors and micropipettes.

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