Molecular Biology Boot Camp – Study Guide

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and vocabulary related to molecular biology techniques, specifically focusing on micropipettes, dilutions, and data analysis.

Micropipette

A laboratory instrument used to measure and transfer small volumes of liquid with high accuracy.

Volume Adjustment Knob

The control used to set the desired volume on a micropipette.

Dilution Factor (DF)

A ratio that describes how much a solution has been diluted, calculated as total volume divided by the volume of stock.

Serial Dilution

A stepwise dilution of a substance in solution, where each dilution is made from the previous concentration.

R-squared value (R²)

A statistical measure that indicates how well the data fit a trendline, with higher values indicating better fits.

Glycerol

A substance added to biological solutions to prevent freezing and protect enzymes and biological molecules from damage.

Hemocytometer

A device used for counting cells, usually in a specific volume, often for determining cell concentration.

Bromophenol Blue

A pH indicator used for measuring absorbance in various applications, typically at 500 nm.

Cell Concentration

The number of cells in a given volume, calculated using mean counts from a hemocytometer.

Concentration Calculation Formula

C₁V₁ = C₂V₂; used for calculating dilutions where C is concentration and V is volume.