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Serial Dilution Formula:
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Serial dilution is a stepwise dilution of a substance in solution, commonly used in A-level biology to reduce the concentration of a sample in a systematic way. This calculation helps determine the final concentration after multiple dilution steps.
The calculator uses the serial dilution formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates how much the original concentration is reduced after performing a series of dilutions, each with the same dilution factor.
Details: Serial dilution is essential in biological experiments for creating concentration gradients, preparing samples for analysis, and ensuring measurable concentrations in various assays and tests.
Tips: Enter initial concentration in arbitrary units, dilution factor (must be greater than 1), and number of dilution steps. All values must be valid (concentration > 0, DF > 0, n ≥ 0).
Q1: What is a typical dilution factor used in serial dilutions?
A: Common dilution factors are 2, 5, or 10, but any factor greater than 1 can be used depending on the experiment requirements.
Q2: Why use serial dilution instead of simple dilution?
A: Serial dilution allows for creating a wide range of concentrations from a single stock solution, which is more efficient and consistent than preparing each dilution individually.
Q3: How do I choose the number of dilution steps?
A: The number of steps depends on the concentration range needed for your experiment and the detection limits of your measurement method.
Q4: Can I use different dilution factors for each step?
A: This calculator assumes the same dilution factor for each step. For varying factors, calculations must be done step by step.
Q5: What are common applications of serial dilution in biology?
A: Microbial culture preparation, antibiotic sensitivity testing, ELISA assays, PCR preparation, and creating standard curves for quantitative analysis.