Certainly! In the context of pipetting, the terms "aspirating" and "dispensing" refer to specific actions involved in the process of transferring liquids using a pipette.
a. Aspirating
Aspirating refers to the process of drawing liquid into the pipette. When a pipette is used, the user typically depresses the plunger or uses a button (in the case of electronic pipettes) to create a vacuum or lower pressure inside the pipette tip. This causes the liquid to be drawn up into the tip from the sample container, allowing the user to collect the desired volume of liquid for transfer.
b. Dispensing
Dispensing is the action of releasing the liquid from the pipette tip into a new container or onto a surface. After aspirating the liquid, the user positions the pipette tip over the target location, and then they press the plunger or button to expel the liquid. This action allows for precise transfer of the measured volume to the intended location. Proper dispensing ensures accuracy and minimizes the risk of contamination or loss of the sample.
Together, these two actions are fundamental to the pipetting process in laboratory settings.
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