A pipette is a laboratory tool commonly used in chemistry, biology, and medicine to transport a measured volume of liquid. It is designed to provide a clean and hygienic environment for aspirating, transporting, and dispensing liquid samples, helping to maintain quality assurance. Pipettes come in several designs for various purposes with differing levels of accuracy and precision, from single-piece glass pipettes to more complex adjustable or electronic pipettes. They are used to:
- Extract, transport, and dispense liquid samples: Pipettes are primarily used to transfer liquids from one container to another, ensuring accurate and precise measurements.
- Create a partial vacuum: Many pipette types work by creating a partial vacuum above the liquid-holding chamber and selectively releasing this vacuum to draw up and dispense liquid.
- Maintain accuracy and precision: Scientists rely on pipettes to accurately measure and dispense liquid samples. Micropipettes, which are engineered with accuracy and precision in mind, are available as both single and multi-channel instruments, with both generally offering accuracy rates of less than 3% of the specified value.
- Use different types of pipettes for specific applications: There is a diverse range of pipettes for different applications and settings, each useful for a specific volume range and sometimes specialized to work with a particular type of liquid. Volumetric pipettes, for example, are considered the gold standard for accuracy and precision and are used by scientists investigating chemical properties and reactions.
