Laboratory Instruments Overview

Laboratory Room

• A laboratory room is a controlled environment designed for scientific research, experiments, analysis, and measurement.
• These rooms are equipped with specialized instruments, tools, and safety equipment.
• Researchers, scientists and technicians use these labs for accurate and safe experiments.

Laboratory Instruments

• Bunsen burner is a common laboratory instrument used for heating
• Evaporating dish is used for evaporating liquids.
• Bacterial loop used in microbiology to transfer bacterial cultures.
• Wire brush for cleaning lab equipment.
• Crucible and cover are used to heat and contain substances, often in chemical reactions or analyses.
• 24-well plate used in experiments that involve multiple samples.
• Test-tube rack holds test tubes for organization and stability.
• Mortar and pestle are tools used for grinding solids.
• Wash bottle for dispensing liquids.
• Forceps are tools used for handling small items or specimens.
• Lab burner is a heating device, often used in conjunction with other lab equipment
• Pipet is used for precise measurement and transfer of liquids, typically used to measure small amounts of liquids in laboratory
• Graduated cylinder to measure and quantify volumes of liquids in laboratory settings.
• Volumetric flask used for accurate liquid measurements.
• Conical flask is used for heating, mixing, and storing liquids, typically in laboratory settings.
• Dropper allows controlled addition of small amounts of liquid, commonly used in lab.
• Watch glass provides a flat surface to evaporate solvents or other liquids, used commonly
• Funnel used for directing liquids into containers with smaller openings
• Petri dish is a shallow dish used in microbiology to cultivate microorganisms or sample substances.

Laboratory Safety

• Listen carefully to instructions before any experiment.
• Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes.
• Notify your teacher of any spills or accidents.
• After handling chemicals, wash your hands completely.
• Keep your hands away from your face during experiments.
• Tie back long hair
• Roll up long sleeves
• Know the location of emergency equipment (fire extinguisher, first-aid, eyewash station)
• Keep the area clutter free
• Do not use/wear contact lenses.
• Do not put anything in your mouth during experiments.
• Clean up your lab area.
• Do not eat or drink.

Laboratory Safety Signs

• Safety signs are standardized symbols that communicate important lab safety information.
• These signs help protect personnel and visitors from potential hazards.
• Common categories of signs: eye protection, hand protection, respiratory system protection, foot protection, head protection, hazardous substances (radioactive, toxic chemicals, flammable, oxidizers, poisonous, corrosive, reactive, compressed gas).
• Additional categories can exist for other hazards.
• "No food or drink in lab" sign is important to prevent contamination of samples.

Microbiology

• Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms.
• This can include unicellular organisms such as bacteria, multicellular organisms like fungi and acellular organisms, like viruses.
• All living organisms can be sorted into Prokaryotes or Eukaryotes based on cell structure.
• Prokaryotic cells are simple, single-celled organisms, which lack a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles, and typically smaller. Genetic material is in a region called the nucleoid. Bacteria is an example.
• Eukaryotic cells are complex, containing a membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles, and typically larger. Examples: Plants, animals, fungi, and protists.
• Prokaryotes are classified by shape and aggregation (cocci, bacilli, spirilla, spirochetes).