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Experiment 1: Testing Accuracy and Precision in Using A Micropipettor

This experiment tested the accuracy and precision of students using micropipettors by having them pipette different volumes of water and weighing the samples, finding that Group 4 was the most accurate while Group 2 was the most precise based on the lowest standard deviation and percent error. The results showed varying skill levels with micropipetting among the groups, with Group 4 demonstrating the best technique based on achieving values closest to the standard.

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133 views4 pages

Experiment 1: Testing Accuracy and Precision in Using A Micropipettor

This experiment tested the accuracy and precision of students using micropipettors by having them pipette different volumes of water and weighing the samples, finding that Group 4 was the most accurate while Group 2 was the most precise based on the lowest standard deviation and percent error. The results showed varying skill levels with micropipetting among the groups, with Group 4 demonstrating the best technique based on achieving values closest to the standard.

Uploaded by

Rosheen
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Department of Biological Sciences

College of Science, University of Santo Tomas


España, Manila Philippines

Experiment 1: Testing Accuracy and Precision in Using a


Micropipettor
Torres, Paula Erika; Verona, Eunice; Villaraza, Rosheen Angel; Young, Dana; Yu, Dana; Zafra, Allen

Abstract

This experiment includes the testing of accuracy and precision in using micropipettor by

computing the Standard Deviation (SD), average weight, and percent error (%error). Using the standard

error of the mean (SE), the error bars was indicated and computed using the SE formula. The group with

the highest accuracy is group 4 and the group with highest precision in using the micropipettor is group 2.

I. Introduction

Micropipettor is a type of pipette used to measure microvolumes of liquid solutions. It is a

laboratory instrument used to transfer a volume of liquid by partially creating a vacuum in the chamber

that holds the liquid, and releasing this vacuum to draw and dispense it. There are a variety of sizes of

micropipettors, starting from 0.5 to 1000 microliters (μL), which determines that accuracy and precision

of liquids.

Accuracy is the degree of closeness of a measured value to the standard value set while precision

determines the degree of closeness of values that are result of repeated measurements. Accuracy and

precision is vital in the field of Science because if errors are made, inaccurate results will come out which

is not close to the true value.

II. Methodology

A. Testing accuracy of operators:


A parafilm or aluminum foil was placed on an analytical balance and was tared. 50µL of dH2O

was pipetted into the parafilm. The weight was recorded. The TARE was pressed again. This was

repeated 5 times. The average weight and standard deviation was computed. Lastly, the entire procedure

was repeated using 100µL and 500µL of dH2O

B. Testing Precision of operators:

A parafilm or aluminum foil was placed on a weighing balance; the TARE button was then

pressed. 50µL of dH2O was pipetted into the parafilm. The weight was recorded. TARE was pressed

again, and the procedure was repeated for each member. The average weight and standard deviation was

computed. The percent error as also computed using the equation:

𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒 − 𝑒𝑥𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒


%𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑟 =
𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑑 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒

The data of other groups were collected and recorded. The standard error of the mean (S.E.) was

computed using the equation:

𝑆𝐷
𝑆𝐸 =
√𝑁

III. Results and Discussion

The common laboratory equipment used in Cell and Molecular Biology is the micropipettor. In

this experiment, the accuracy and precision in using a micropipettor was tested. Table 1 shows the results

obtained from all groups to test the accuracy of one member of every group. Table 2 shows compiled

results which contains the deviation and the % error to test the precision of the members of all even

groups.

Table 1. Weight of different water samples by 1 member of each group


Volume of water Weight of sample (gm)
(µL) Group 2 Group 4 Group 6 Group 8
50 0.0496 0.51 0.0492 0.0517
100 0.1017 0.099 0.1021 0.1053
500 0.4982 0.499 0.5073 0.5008

Table 2. Compiled results of all groups to test the accuracy.

50µL
Group no.
Weight Deviation %Error
2 0.0497 g 0.0002 1.56%
4 0.2282 g -0.0005 0.92%
6 0.04358 g -0.04022 12.73%
8 0.04932 g 0.0006 1.242

The experiment tackles on the familiarization on using a micropipettor.

Each member of the group tested their accuracy and precision by measuring the weight of the

water that they dispensed using a micropipettor.

The results in table 1 shows that the member for group 2 has high accuracy in using the

micropipettor because he has the closest values to the required volume that is need to be dispensed.

The results in table 2 shows that the members of group 4 has the highest precision because they

have the lowest percent error and group 6 have the highest percent error. Their experimental value of the

weight of the water was compared its standard value and group 4 showed that lowest percent error. It

shows that members of group 4 uses the micropipettor with precision because the lower the percent error,

the better the skills of the student.

IV. Conclusion
The results obtained from the utilization of micropipettors in determining the weight of water as

collated from the class groups yielded a trend of varying outcomes as some were accurate and precise and

other were not to some degree.

V. References

https://www.jove.com/science-education/5033/an-introduction-to-the-micropipettor

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