Importance of Precise Measurement in Life Science
Graduated cylinders are one of the most common types of glassware used for measurement, second only to the pipette.
They are not the most accurate measuring device, but they surpass most other categories of glassware for precision and accuracy.
The reason for their extreme popularity is their ease of use and versatility. They have a wide base for hands free balancing and a mouth that can be used for pouring into or out of.
They come in such a wide range of sizes that they can be used for applications that are completely unexpected, and we’ll discuss a few research examples later in this article.
So why are they an important device for laboratory personnel to know about?
To put it simply, they have a wide range of applications, but they are limited and you must know when NOT to use them.
Let’s discuss their functions and limitations first.
1: Usefulness in Volumetric Analysis for Biochemistry
Graduated cylinders are typically used for measuring large liquid volumes, much like serological pipettes.
They are not able to achieve quite the same level of precision or accuracy as the serological pipette, but they come awfully close.
We discussed some tips and tricks for using them in our previous article “How to use a Graduated Cylinder “, but here’s a recap.
They come marked with gradations along the side and an abbreviation that indicates whether these markings are “to contain” (TC) or “to deliver” (TD).
Most have both on either side so you can read them while you are pouring out the contents.
The interval of the markings depends on the volume of the cylinder and the class of container.
They are divided into Class A and Class B categories of container. Below is a table that shows the limitations of each based on the volume.
Numbers based on ASTM standards and specifications.
Marking Interval Gradations on Class A and Class B Containers (mL)
| Volume | Largest | Intermediate | Least | Distance Scale to Top mm |
| 25mL | 5.0 or 2.0 | 1.0 | 0.2 or 0.5 | 20-80 |
| 100mL | 10.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 20-80 |
| 1000mL | 100.0 | 50.0 | 10.0 | 45-110 |
Marking Interval Tolerances on Class A vs. Class B Containers (±mL)
| Volume | Class A | Class B |
| 25mL | 0.17mL | 0.34mL |
| 100mL | 0.50mL | 1.00mL |
| 1000mL | 3.00mL | 6.00mL |
The above volumes are not an exhaustive list and should only be used as a reference.
2: Preparing Standard Solutions in Microbiology
They are commonly used for routine measuring and mixing applications. For instance, the preparation of 70% ethanol solution for aseptic protocols.
A quick trick for preparing a spray bottle of ethanol for cell culture is to take a 1000mL cylinder and fill it to 700mL with pure ethanol.
Quickly add deionized water and fill to the 1000mL line.
Larger containers may also be used to measure the volume of solids through water displacement.
3: Handling and Storing Reactive Chemical Agents
These devices may also be used for storage of harsh chemicals for long-term use.
If storing a corrosive or highly reactive substance, be sure to choose Class A materials.
Also, in this situation it is important to use a cylinder that does not have a pouring mouth so that it can be stopped securely.
4: Educational use and Visual Demonstrations
They excel in teaching settings because they are so user-friendly and provide an easy visual for students unfamiliar with chemistry.
Another argument for this device as a tool for visualization comes from studies like this one on Drosophila flight testing.
This study employed the use of oil coated and sticky paper coated cylinders to demonstrate which flies had the most agility.
5: Quality Control and Clinical Testing of Liquid Pharmaceuticals
Although they are not useful for measuring very small volumes of liquid, they may be used to test for differences in large preparations of intravenous medication.
For instance, clinical studies have used cylinders to compare and contrast the volume of liquid contained by IV bags by different manufacturers.
Drug developers working with liquid preparations can benefit from these devices in a quality control setting where packaging is tested for volume accuracy before production.
These measures can help prevent over- and under-dilution of medications.
A Quick Recap:
- Cylinders are not calibrated for a low enough error tolerance to be used for very precise measurements accurately
- Yet, they surpass beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks for liquid measurements
- They are free-standing, cheap, and easy to use
- Class A types can be used for harsh chemicals and high temperatures
A Stellar Array of Class A and B Glassware
Now that you know some of the primary ways you can and cannot use a cylinder, you can rest easy knowing your lab personnel are among the good people of science.
All that’s left is to decide whether or not you need to buy new glassware, right?!
Stellar Scientific carries a wide assortment of Class A and Class B measuring devices.
Our high-quality range of glassware is suitable for any biochemistry application.
Our Globe Glass Class A Graduated Cylinders are Class A containers with three interval graduations for harsh chemicals and long-term containment of corrosives.
We also feature Class A polymethylpentene (PMP) plastics like the Class A Plastic Graduated Cylinder
See our polypropylene and bulk options if you need more for a lower price.
Be sure to check out our full selection of beakers and graduated cylinders on the Stellar Scientific webpage.
Footnotes:
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- “Standard Specification for Laboratory Glass Graduated Cylinders.” ASTM International, www.astm.org/e1272-02r12.html. Accessed 19 July 2024.
- Babcock DT, Ganetzky B. An improved method for accurate and rapid measurement of flight performance in Drosophila. J Vis Exp. 2014 Feb 13;(84):e51223. doi: 10.3791/51223. PMID: 24561810; PMCID: PMC4089396.
- Blad KD, Lookinland S, Measom G, Bond AE, Williams M. Assessing dopamine concentrations: an evidence-based approach. Am J Crit Care. 2000 Mar;9(2):130-9. PMID: 10705426.