What is the primary purpose of a pipette in a laboratory?

The primary purpose of a pipette in a laboratory is to accurately measure small volumes of liquid. Pipettes are designed to deliver precise and repeatable measurements, which is crucial in various scientific experiments and applications where accuracy is essential. This precision helps ensure that results are reliable and reproducible by allowing scientists to measure small quantities of liquids with a high degree of accuracy, typically in the milliliter or microliter range.

While mixing large volumes is a task often performed with other types of equipment like graduated cylinders or mixing vessels, and heating substances is typically done with equipment such as Bunsen burners or hot plates, these are not the functions of a pipette. Similarly, while samples may be stored in different types of containers, a pipette is not primarily used for storage; its design and function are specifically aimed at the measurement and transfer of small liquid volumes.