Serial dilution and direct dilution both yield a range of concentrations. However, the key distinction lies in their methods:
Serial Dilution Series: Each concentration is created by diluting the previous one. This approach allows for accurate dilutions across a broader concentration range. For instance, if a stock solution in the first column is diluted 11 times (with a factor of 3 each time), the final column would be 311 = 177,147 times more dilute.
Direct Dilution Series: All concentrations are derived by taking varying amounts from a single stock solution. These can be more straightforward to set up, and negate the risk that an error affects all subsequent concentrations.
