Laboratory Equipment And Safety

Beakers Measures the volume of liquids Not as precise as using a graduated cylinder Many different sizes Good for holding and mixing substances

Erlenmeyer flask Measures the volume of liquids Not as precise as a graduated cylinder Has narrow top so you can use a rubber stopper in it, to avoid splashing or breathing in fumes

Graduated cylinder Measures liquids very accurately Read the bottom of the meniscus when reading the volume of a liquid

Dissecting equipment Dissecting tray (pan to dissect in) Pins (hold down the specimen) Dissecting probe (used to separate tissues) Scalpel (used for cutting tissues) Dissecting scissors (used for cutting) Forceps (NOT tweezers)(used for grasping or tearing tissues)

Microscope equipment Microscope Microscope slides Coverslips Depression slide (has a depression in which you can put liquids)

Innoculating loop Used to transfer a tiny bit of liquid from one test tube to another Used primarily for transferring bacteria The loop is made of wire which can be sterilized in a bunsen burner (it turns red hot)

Test tube equipment Rack (holds test tubes) Test tubes (hold substances for heating in burners, or for mixing) Rubber stoppers (made of black rubber) and corks (made of wood) Test tube holders (hold hot test tubes safely) Test tube brush (cleans test tubes)

Tongs May or may not have rubber ends for holding hot beakers Used to pick up substances that may be hot or have chemicals on them beaker tongs

Petri dish Used to hold liquids, grow bacteria, or hold solid substances

dropper Used to transfer liquids one drop at a time (glass with rubber tip) Disposable pipette (all plastic)

Safety goggles (or glasses) Protect the eyes from chemical splashes, burning liquids, or other dangers in the laboratory

Hand lens Magnifies objects to be seen more easily

Funnel Helps you pour liquids from one container to another

Watch glass Covers beakers to prevent evaporation or contamination Can also be used to hold substances

Burner equipment Burner or “Bunsen burner” has a flame for heating substances Striker has flint in it, for starting the flame Orange rubber tubing carries gas from the gas jets to the burner

Ring stand setup Ring stand Wire gauze Metal ring Burner

Thermometer Measures temperature Red inside is an alcohol thermometer Metallic (silver) inside is mercury

Stirring rod Stirs substances Never, ever, ever use a thermometer to stir!

Hot plate For heating substances

Mortar and pestle Used to grind up solids into powder

Ruler Used to measure length