1. Commonly Used Equipment in the Science Laboratory

2. Containers Used to Measure or Hold Larger Volumes of Liquid
Erlenmeyer flasks
Volumetric Flask
Graduated cylinders
Beakers
Storage Bottles
***Use the appropriate volume container for the volume you are working with! If you don’t know ask.
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3. USES Accuracy of Markings
Erlenmeyer Flask
Narrow neck prevents splashes; used to heat and store substances
Typically +/- 5% (not very good)
Volumetric Flask
For making accurate solutions of a known volume.
Some as accurate as 0.025%
Beaker
Used to hold liquids. Beakers do not accurately measure liquids.
Not very good.
Graduated Cylinder
Accurately measures liquid volumes; measures in milliliters
Depends greatly on the size of the cylinder. But far better than Beakers.
Storage Bottles
Used for long term storage of solutions.
Same as beakers.
Volumetric Flask
For making solutions of a known volume.
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4. Equipment Used to Measure Small Volumes of Liquid
Various Pipets and Bulbs
Measures small amounts of liquids accurately
Pipet Bulb
Used to pull liquid into a pipet
Variable Micropipettes
Pipet Pumps
Also used to pull liquid into a pipet
Various Sizes of Micropipette Tips
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5. Useful Equipment for Measuring the Mass of a Substance
Electronic Balance
Used to weigh the mass of a substance.
Spatula
Used to transfer powders and crystal chemicals
Analytical Balance
Excellent weighing performance, fast and accurate
Weigh Paper
Used for weighing powders and crystals;
Weigh Boat
Can be used for liquids; static can be an issue
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6. Instruments Used in the Science Laboratory
Instrumentation used in the laboratory is generally considered to be a more ingenious use of a piece of equipment than the typical piece of laboratory equipment. They typically have some computerized components to them, but not always.
For example, the analytical balance is also electronic but is more sophisticated than the everyday electronic balance. Both are instruments used in the biology and chemistry laboratory.
Some of the most commonly pieces of instrumentation include:
Analytical balances (as noted above)
Microcentrifuges
Microscopes
Spectrophotometers
pH Meters
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7. Compound microscope- most commonly used in our labs;
A centrifuge is used to separate biomolecules that ordinarily would not separate out under normal gravitational forces. Centrifuges are classified according to the size and speed and can be low speed, high speed, or ultracentrifuges.
Microcentrifuge
Spins small volumes of liquid samples to separate their components; uses microcentrifuge tubes;
Sometimes called Eppendorf tubes
Compound microscope- most commonly used in our labs;
Two sets of lenses to magnify an object; requires a glass slide (fixed or lab prepared)
Larger centrifuges require larger centrifuge tubes
Other types of microscopes include the dissection (stereoscope), phase contrast, and high powered microscopes such as scanning electron (SEM) and transmission electron microscopes (TEM)
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8. Spectrophotometers Genesys Spectrophotometer Spec 20
Spectroscopy studies the interactions between light and matter. The color a substance, solution or object appears to be is due to the wavelength (λ )of light that is not absorbed. If a solution appears red, the red solution absorbed specific wavelengths of light in the range of about (blue-green λ). Spectrophotometers can be used to determine the absorbency of colored solutions and this information used to determine concentration of the absorbing molecules under study.
Genesys Spectrophotometer
Spec 20
Cuvettes to hold the solution
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9. Electrophoresis Equipment
Gel Electrophoresis is a commonly performed task in most biology labs.
Electrophoresis Unit
Power Supply
Lid
Electrophoresis Chamber
Gel Tray and Comb
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10. Other Handy Pieces of Equipment to Have in the Laboratory
PCR Unit is an essential part of any molecular biology lab. PCR is the process of amplifying DNA millions of times over. Once DNA is amplified it can then be used in a number of laboratory and clinical techniques such as DNA fingerprinting, and diagnosis of genetic disorders.
Hot plate/ Stir Plate
Can heat liquids and with the aid of a magnetic stir bar; can stir the liquid as it’s being heated.
Inside block of a PCR Unit; holds PCR tubes
Magnetic stir bars come in various sizes
PCR Tubes are tiny
Stir bar retriever
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