What distinguishes a volumetric pipette from other types of pipettes?

A volumetric pipette is specifically designed to deliver a single, fixed volume of liquid with high precision and accuracy. This unique characteristic makes it the preferred choice when a precise volume measurement is critical in laboratory settings. Unlike other types of pipettes, such as graduated pipettes that can measure varying volumes, a volumetric pipette is calibrated for only one specific volume, reducing potential errors in volume measurement.

The design of a volumetric pipette allows for excellent performance in dispensing that specific volume, making it essential in quantitative analysis in biochemistry, chemistry, and molecular biology. The other options, while relevant to types of pipettes, do not accurately describe the defining feature of a volumetric pipette, which is its high accuracy for fixed volumes.