What is one primary use of a disposable plastic transfer pipette?

One primary use of a disposable plastic transfer pipette is to transfer small amounts of liquid. These pipettes are designed for convenience and ease of use, making them ideal for transferring liquids in laboratory settings. They are particularly useful when precision is less critical than the need for quick and contamination-free handling of samples, such as when performing reactions, dilutions, or simple liquid transfers. Their disposable nature also ensures that there's minimal risk of cross-contamination between samples, which is crucial in many laboratory protocols.

Measuring exact volumes is generally not the primary function of transfer pipettes; rather, they provide a way to grab small amounts of liquid quickly. Heating liquids is not applicable to pipettes, as this function is typically executed using specialized equipment like Bunsen burners or hot plates. Mixing solutions is generally done using vortex mixers or stirring rods, as transfer pipettes do not have the mechanism to effectively combine solutions.