Laboratory Equipment Glossary: 100+ Essential Lab Terms

An air displacement pipette uses a piston to create an air cushion that aspirates and dispenses liquids, keeping the piston separate from the sample. It works by moving a piston to displace air, forming a vacuum to draw in liquid (aspirate) and then pushing air to expel the liquid (dispense). This method is accurate for […]

A burette is a graduated glass or plastic tube with a stopcock at the bottom, used in chemistry to precisely measure and dispense variable volumes of liquid, most commonly in titrations. It enables accurate control and measurement by reading the difference between the initial and final volume markings. Key Features and Uses Design An elongated, […]

An electronic pipette is a digital, motor-driven handheld device used for precise liquid handling. It offers automated functions, programmable protocols, ergonomic design, and higher accuracy than manual pipettes. By automating aspiration, dispensing, mixing, and dilution tasks, it reduces user error and fatigue. Key Features of Electronic Pipettes Digital Control Uses a motorized piston to ensure […]

Filter pipette tips, also known as aerosol barrier tips, prevent cross-contamination by using a hydrophobic filter (commonly polyethylene) to block aerosols, liquids, and vapors from entering the pipette shaft. They are essential for PCR, DNA/RNA work, and other sensitive assays, protecting both the sample and the pipette to ensure purity and accuracy. Key Features and […]

A micropipette is a precise laboratory instrument used to measure and transfer extremely small volumes of liquid, typically in the microliter (µL) range (0.1 µL to 1000 µL). It is commonly used in research, clinical, and pharmaceutical applications. Micropipettes operate by displacing air or using a positive displacement piston to aspirate and dispense exact amounts […]

A multi-channel pipette is a laboratory tool that allows simultaneous transfer of multiple small liquid volumes. Commonly available with 8, 12, or more channels, it increases efficiency for high-throughput applications such as PCR, ELISAs, and drug screening. Essentially, it functions as multiple traditional pipettes in a single instrument. Key Features and Uses Channels Typically 8 […]

Pipette calibration ensures accurate and consistent liquid dispensing. It is typically performed gravimetrically by weighing dispensed distilled water and calculating the corresponding volume using environmental factors (Z-factor). The process involves pre-wetting the tip, taking multiple measurements, adjusting the pipette, and verifying against standards such as ISO 8655. Gravimetric Pipette Calibration Steps 1. Gather Equipment Analytical […]

Pipette tips are disposable, cone-shaped plastic attachments for pipettes, used to accurately aspirate and dispense small liquid volumes while preventing contamination. They are made of polypropylene, come in various sizes, shapes, and types (sterile, filtered, non-sterile), and are essential for precise lab work. Key Characteristics Purpose Transfer liquids accurately and protect both samples and pipettes […]

A serological pipette is a graduated cylindrical laboratory tool (glass or plastic) used to accurately transfer milliliter volumes of liquid, typically from 1 to 50 mL. It is commonly used for tasks such as mixing solutions, cell culture work, and reagent transfer. Serological pipettes feature measurement markings along their length and may be sterile disposable […]

A volumetric pipette – also known as a bulb pipette or belly pipette – is designed for high-precision measurement of liquid volumes, typically accurate to four significant figures. Each pipette is calibrated to deliver one fixed, exact volume of liquid. These pipettes feature a large central bulb with a long, narrow stem above it and […]