1. Micropipets/ Electrophoresis/ DNA fingerprinting

2. Small Volume Measurments
In Biotechnology, measurements of very small volumes are necessary because:
Enzymes and DNA are very small molecules
These molecules are expensive to isolate
Units: Milliliter vs. Microliter
The SI unit of volume is a Liter (about 1 quarts)
Milliliter (ml) = 1/1000 of a liter. Also expressed as: 1 X 10-3 , 0.001
Micro- (ml) = 1/1,000,000 of a liter. Also expressed as: 1 X 10-6 ,
How many Microliters are there in 1 Milliter?
__________________ ml = 1 ml

3. Small Volume Measurments
In Biotechnology, measurements of very small volumes are necessary because:
Enzymes and DNA are very small molecules
These molecules are expensive to isolate
Units: Milliliter vs. Microliter
The SI unit of volume is a Liter (about 1 quarts)
Milliliter (ml) = 1/1000 of a liter. Also expressed as: 1 X 10-3 , 0.001
Micro- (ml) = 1/1,000,000 of a liter. Also expressed as: 1 X 10-6 ,
How many Microliters are there in 1 Milliter?
_______1000___________ ml = 1 ml

4. Volume Conversions
To convert from one unit to another you must use a conversion factor.
A conversion factor is a ratio of one unit and its equivalent value in another unit.
Example: 1000 meters is equivalent to 1 kilometer. Conversion factor is:
1000m/1kilometer or 1 kilometer/1000m
Since both values are equal to each other (1000m=1 km) when you divided them, they equal 1. This means you can multiple the conversion factor to any number and it does not change the value, it just changes the units.
What is the conversion factor between microliters and milliliters?
________ ml / _________ ml or ___________ ml / _____________ ml

5. Volume Conversions
To convert from one unit to another you must use a conversion factor.
A conversion factor is a ratio of one unit and its equivalent value in another unit.
Example: 1000 meters is equivalent to 1 kilometer. Conversion factor is:
1000m/1kilometer or 1 kilometer/1000m
Since both values are equal to each other (1000m=1 km) when you divided them, they equal 1. This means you can multiple the conversion factor to any number and it does not change the value, it just changes the units.
What is the conversion factor between microliters and milliliters?
____1000____ ml / ____1_____ ml or ____1_______ ml / ____1000_________ ml

6. Volume Conversions Converting from ml to ml
First write down the original value you wish to convert
Example: 10 ml
Next, multiply it by your conversion factor to the unit you desire. Be sure that the unit you wish to get rid of is in the denominator (on bottom) and the unit you desire is in the numerator (on top)
Example: 10ml X 1000 ml
1 ml
The units for ml will cancel each other out which leaves you with the units you desire, ml.
10ml X ml = 10,000 ml
Now you try by converting 250 ml to ml.

7. Volume Conversions
Another way to approach this is by moving the decimal point based on the conversion factor.
Since 1000 ml = 1 ml, you can move the decimal place 3 places (10, 100, 1000) to the left or right to convert your units.
ml ml
Smaller Larger
Moving the decimal place to the left makes the value smaller. Moving to the right makes the value bigger moving to the left 3 places = 0.001
1. 0 moving to the right 3 places= 1000
Which way would you move the decimal place to:
Convert from 2 ml to ml ? (Left or Right) ___________ Make your conversion= ____________ ml
Convert from 100 ml to ml ? (Left or Right) _________ Make your conversion =___________ ml

8. Volume Conversions
Another way to approach this is by moving the decimal point based on the conversion factor.
Since 1000 ml = 1 ml, you can move the decimal place 3 places (10, 100, 1000) to the left or right to convert your units.
ml ml
Smaller Larger
Moving the decimal place to the left makes the value smaller. Moving to the right makes the value bigger moving to the left 3 places = 0.001
1. 0 moving to the right 3 places= 1000
Which way would you move the decimal place to:
Convert from 2 ml to ml ? (Left or Right) Right________ Make your conversion= ___2000______ ml
Convert from 100 ml to ml ? (Left or Right) Left______ Make your conversion =____0.01____ ml

9. Micropipets
To accurately measure as small as a millionth of a liter, we need a precision tool called a micropipette.
Micropipette’s have specific values (range) of volumes they can draw up and dispense.
A disposable tip is used to contain the liquid.
Each micropipette has a specific way they are read to indicate their volumes.

10. Reading a Micropipette
Notice the red numbers and their meaning for the different pipettes.
There is also a P10 micropipette that reads the same as the P20.
What does the red number mean for the P20?
What does the red number mean for the P1000?
Indicate the proper microliter values for the values set on the micropipettes to the right.
P20 _______ ml P200 _______ ml P1000 ________ ml
P20 2 5
P200 1 2 5
P1000 2 5

11. Reading a Micropipette
Notice the red numbers and their meaning for the different pipettes.
There is also a P10 micropipette that reads the same as the P20.
What does the red number mean for the P20?
What does the red number mean for the P1000?
Indicate the proper microliter values for the values set on the micropipettes to the right.
P20 _2.5____ ml P200 __125___ ml P1000 _250_____ ml
P20 2 5
P200 1 2 5
P1000 2 5