. . . . . . Use a Plastic Pipette

Pipettes are used as a tool for transferring fluids. Pipettes can be graduated for measurement of small volumes of material.

Squeeze the bulb before inserting the tip of the pipette into the liquids of choice.
Insert the pipette into the liquid to be moved.
Release your grip on the bulb. The liquid will be sucked into the pipette.
Move your pipette to the next container and squeeze the bulb. Its contents will be pushed into the container.

*Be cautious about sucking particulate matter into the shaft of the pipette. The tip of the pipette can be enlarged if required by cutting the end.

. . . . . Use a Plastic Pipette Pump

Insert the cotton-filled end of a sterile pipette into the end of a plastic pipette pump.
- Both pipettes and pumps come in different sizes. Be sure to use a pump that can "suck" the quantity of liquid you want (e.g. 10 ml pump with a 5 ml or 10 ml sterile pipette).
Using the wheel at the top of the pump, raise the white top of the pump approximately 1 cm BEFORE inserting the pipette into the liquid.
- This step is necessary in order to create additional air pressure in the pipette as you expel the liquid.
Next, place the tapered tip of the pipette into the liquid. The tip should be within the liquid during the pipetting.
Hold the pipette pump with one hand--your thumb should be placed on the wheel.
Use your thumb to rotate the wheel downward. This will cause the liquid to rise into the pipette. Do this carefully and watch the meniscus of the liquid rise to your desired level.
- Remember: Measure the level of the liquid at the BOTTOM of the meniscus.
Next, take the tip of the pipette out of the liquid and move the entire apparatus to the place where you desire to put the measured liquid.

Use your thumb to rotate the wheel upward. This will cause the liquid to be dispensed from the pipette. Lower the white top of the pump all the way to the pump shaft. Because you created the extra space before pipetting, the entire contents of the pipette should be now be dispensed!

. . . . . Use a Pipette with a Bulb

There are 3 areas on the bulb that can be squeezed: A (air), S (suck) and E (empty). Identify these areas and give them a quick squeeze just to check it out.
Put a pipette into the bulb, under area S. Insert the cotton-filled end carefully.
Always hold the pipette with the open end down to prevent solutions from entering the bulb.
Be aware that there are different graduations on different sizes of pipette. Make sure you use the correct size!
Squeeze the bulb while holding area A. This creates a vacuum.
Put the end of the pipette tube into the liquid, and squeeze area S. Watch carefully, the liquid rises quickly. Fill the pipette to a level just higher than you need for the experiment. Release area S.
Put the pipette tube into the area you want to dispense the liquid. Squeeze area E to release the fluid. The harder you squeeze, the faster the liquid comes out.
Dispose of pipette properly when finished.

. . . . . Use a Micropipette

The micropipette is used to measure a very small and accurate volume of fluid

Micropipettes can be found in varieties that have set, unalterable fluid volumes or in varieties with various adjustable fluid ranges.

Select the appropriate pipette for the desired volume allocation.
The range of the pipette can be found on the top of the pipette plunger.
Use the correct tip for the specific micropipette size.
Adjust the volume of the micropipette by turning the dial to the desired volume needed.
Depress the plunger to the first level for the intake of the fluid.

Place the tip of the micropipette in the desired fluid, and slowly release pressure, allowing the plunger to rise, thus allowing for the intake of the fluid.
Transfer the fluid to its desired location by depressing the plunger to its first position. Second click the plunger to allow for the full transfer of the fluid.
Remove the tip from the pipette, with the plunger down, by pressing on the eject button.

* CAUTIONS

Always hold the point of the barrel down at all times to prevent fluids from entering the pump mechanism.
Always dispense used tips between each transfer.
Do not stick micropipette tips in ears, eyes, nose or mouth or other openings in the body.

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