Lab 2: Laboratory Incubators and Equipment

Laboratory Incubators

• A laboratory incubator is a heated, insulated box used to grow and maintain microbiological or cell cultures.
• It maintains optimal temperature, humidity, and gaseous content of the atmosphere inside.
• Uses of incubators include:
  • Bacterial growth
  • Cell growth
  • Fungal growth
• Types of incubators include:
  • Ordinary Incubator
  • CO2 Incubator
  • Shaker Incubator

Laboratory Ovens

• Laboratory ovens are widely used in medical laboratories to sterilize, dry, and heat equipment and materials.
• Uses of ovens include:
  • Drying or dehydrating samples by removing moisture
  • Sterilizing samples by removing or destroying bacteria or microorganisms
  • Evaporating excess solvent
• Types of laboratory ovens include:
  • Mechanical Ovens, which circulate air throughout the chamber
  • Vacuum Ovens, which are used for drying or dehydrating samples under vacuum

Water Baths

• A water bath is laboratory equipment made from a container filled with heated water.
• It is used to incubate samples in water at a constant temperature over a long period of time.
• Types of water baths include:
  • Circulating water baths
  • Non-circulating water baths
  • Shaking water baths

This quiz covers the basics of laboratory incubators, ovens, and water baths, including their uses and types.