Conversions: One microliter (abbreviated ul) is 1 thousand nanoliters (nl), a thousandth (10^-3) of a milliliter (ml), or 1 millionth (10^-6) of a liter (L). Choice of micropipette? Volume in ml: 0.6 ml, 0.04 ml, 0.005 ml Volume in ul: B Reading and setting the volume on a micropipette: What is the volume in pl if the micropipette used is: P2O, P2OO, P1OOO For each volume, using the information given, interpret and fill in the missing values. This will require you to convert between ml and ul. Determine which of the 3 possible instruments (P2O, P2OO, P1OOO) is intended and what the appropriate instrument’s window would show. If the micropipette window reads: Which micropipette? Volume in ml: 0.1 ml Volume in ul: 20 ul 3 ul
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Here are the correct answers based on the volume conversions and pipette ranges:
Part A: Volume Conversions and Pipette Choices
- 0.6 ml = 600 µl → Use P1000
- 0.04 ml = 40 µl → Use P200
- 0.005 ml = 5 µl → Use P20
Part B: Micropipette Settings and Resulting Volumes If the volume setting is:
- P20 reads 006 → 6 µl
- P200 reads 040 → 40 µl
- P1000 reads 000 → 0 µl
Part C: Matching Display to Pipette and Volumes
- Window reads 024 → P20, Volume = 24 µl (0.024 ml)
- Window reads 010 → P1000, Volume = 100 µl (0.1 ml)
- Window reads 003 → P20, Volume = 3 µl (0.003 ml)
- Window reads 025 → P200, Volume = 25 µl (0.025 ml)
- Window reads 003 → P20, Volume = 3 µl (0.003 ml)
- Window reads 135 → P1000, Volume = 135 µl (0.135 ml)
Matching for provided volumes:
- 0.1 ml → 100 µl → P200
- 20 µl → P20
- 3 µl → P20
Explanation Micropipettes are precision tools used for measuring small liquid volumes. Their names reflect their maximum volume capacities. P20 handles volumes up to 20 µl, P200 goes up to 200 µl, and P1000 up to 1000 µl. To choose the correct pipette, you match your volume to the middle or upper range of its capacity to ensure accuracy.
To convert between units:
- 1 ml = 1000 µl
- 1 µl = 1000 nanoliters (nl)
- 1 µl = 1,000,000 picoliters (pl)
For example, 0.005 ml = 5 µl = 5,000 nl = 5,000,000 pl. Window settings on micropipettes show digits representing volume: for P20, each digit shows tens, units, and tenths of µl; for P200, hundreds, tens, and units; and for P1000, thousands, hundreds, and tens. Reading them correctly ensures precise measurements and proper technique in biological or chemical workflows.
