Final answer:
A pipette aid or pipump is used to reduce aerosol and splattering, fitting over the stopper of a pipette. It helps to prevent contamination during the transfer of liquids by minimizing aerosols in a laboratory setting.
Step-by-step explanation:
What is used to reduce aerosol and splattering of blood, and fits over the stopper? The device used to achieve this is often called pipette aid or pipump, which fits over the top of a pipette. This pipetting device can considerably minimize the risk of aerosol and splatter during the transfer of liquids in laboratory settings. By tightly fitting onto the top of a pipette, it ensures that any aerosols produced within the pipette do not escape into the surrounding environment, thereby reducing potential contamination.
The use of pre-sterilized, graduated pipettes is crucial in the laboratory for accurate transfer of sterile liquids. When handling these pipettes and other containers like flasks and bottles, it is recommended to angle them to minimize potential contamination and pass the opening briefly through a flame to reduce airborne contaminants. These practices help maintain the sterility of the liquids being transferred, which is paramount in various laboratory applications, including microbiology and medical research.