How to Use a Micropipet
Lesson Objectives:
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Students will review the parts of a micropipet
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Students will review how each part works
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Students will learn how to load a gel using a micropipet
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Students will learn how to put on a tip
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Students will learn how to take a tip off
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Students will learn how to adjust the volume of a 2-20 ul micropipet
In science, there are many different ways to measure volume. One very important tool to a molecular biologist is a micropipet. A micropipet measures in micro liters ( millionths of liters). Some of the pipet measure very small volumes and some measure larger volumes. Each of these pipettes must have a disposable pipet tip on them.
How to place a tip on the pipet
Take the pipet and place into a tip in the tip box.
1.
Press Down firmly but not too hard. Tap a few times to seat the tip
2.
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Lift up and the tip is on!
How to Use the Pipet to Load a Gel
Open the loading dye by unscrewing the top. Be careful and don't get the dye on you.
1.
Press the plunger down to the first soft stop. You will feel it stop naturally.
2.
Lower the tip into the loading dye and slowly let the plunger come back up and fill the pipet.
Pick up the sample that you are adding loading dye to and lower the pipet into it.
Press down to the first soft stop to deliver the loading dye. If it all doesn't come out you can push down to the hard stop to give it one last chance to come out.
* Important! Don't lift up on the plunger until after you have pulled the tip out of the sample tube.
How to Eject a Tip Once you have Used it
Tip is ejected by placing finger on Tip Ejector Button
Press Down on Ejector Button Holding the pipet over a waste cup
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2.
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How to Load a Sample into a Gel
Follow the steps as you did to add loading dye this time get a fresh tip and take up the sample you just added loading dye to. Lower the pipet tip until it just goes under the buffer in the gel box.
Slowly press down on the plunger as it releases the sample into the well. The loading dye makes the sample more dense and it sinks into the well on the gel.
Hold the plunger down until you have withdrawn the tip from the buffer and eject the tip as above.