Which tool would you use to measure the thickness or diameter of stems or seeds?

Which tool would you use to measure the thickness or diameter of stems or seeds?

• A. Calipers
• B. Hand Lens
• C. Spectrophotometer
• D. Micropipette

Answer: (A)

Measuring small external dimensions requires a tool that can grip the object and give a precise reading. Calipers do exactly that: their external jaws clasp around the stem or seed and provide a numerical thickness or diameter in millimeters or inches. The reading is quick and accurate, ideal for objects that aren’t perfectly uniform in shape. A hand lens merely magnifies details without giving a measurement, a spectrophotometer analyzes light properties rather than size, and a micropipette is used for transferring small volumes of liquid, not measuring solid dimensions.

Measuring small external dimensions requires a tool that can grip the object and give a precise reading. Calipers do exactly that: their external jaws clasp around the stem or seed and provide a numerical thickness or diameter in millimeters or inches. The reading is quick and accurate, ideal for objects that aren’t perfectly uniform in shape. A hand lens merely magnifies details without giving a measurement, a spectrophotometer analyzes light properties rather than size, and a micropipette is used for transferring small volumes of liquid, not measuring solid dimensions.