DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

Name: Lano, Giselle Rose A

Section: BMLS 10-2B Group No. 9 Date: August 15, 2021

ACTIVITY NO. 1
LABORATORY APPARATUS
OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the experiment, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the different apparatuses used in a biochemistry laboratory; and
2. Determine the functions of the common laboratory apparatuses in a biochemistry laboratory

Part 1:
1. In a table, differentiate descriptive biochemistry and dynamic chemistry. (10 pts)

DESCRIPTIVE BIOCHEMISTRY DYNAMIC BIOCHEMISTRY

Descriptive biochemistry is the qualitative and Dynamic biochemistry is the study of the nature and
quantitative analysis of the various cell mechanisms of reactions involving cell components.
components.

Student Contributor: Liwanag, A.

Reference: Yadav, V. (2014). Introduction to Biochemistry. Retrieve August 13, 2021, from
https://www.slideshare.net/vedpalp/introduction-to-biochemistry-38727599
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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

2. Why is safety in the biochemistry laboratory important? (5pts)

● Most chemicals produced and used today are beneficial, but some have the potential to harm
human health, the environment, and the public perception of chemical companies. We must be
aware of the risks of both accidental and intentional chemical misuse. Laboratories face a
variety of threats, including the theft of sensitive information, high-value equipment, or dual-use
chemicals that could be used to make weapons or illicit drugs. Thus, chemical safety and
security can help to mitigate these dangers.

Student Contributor: Liwanag, A.

REFERENCE: National Research Council of the National Academies (n.d). Chemical Laboratory Safety
and Security. Retrieved on August 13, 2021, from:
https://www.nap.edu/resource/21918/Execsummary-English-Pagebypage.pdf

3. What is the importance of the following personal protective equipment:

A. Safety glasses
● Prevent any serious eye damage.
B. Ear defenders
● Reduces the noise exposure level and risk of hearing loss. Also, it
improves communication or provides comfort to you in a noisy
environment.
C. Respiratory protective equipment
● Protection from contaminants in the air such as airborne contaminants
and chemicals.
D. Gloves
● To protect hands from accidental spills or contamination.
E. Protective shoes
● Used to avoid possible exposure to corrosive chemicals or large
quantities of solvents or water that might penetrate normal footwear.
F. Apron
● Provide easy removal in the event of a hazardous substance spill or
fire.
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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

G. Lab coats
● Provide protective clothing for the body to resists physical and
chemical hazards.

Student Contributor: Lano, G.

References: Outreach Resources Workgroup. (n.d). Protective Personal Equipment. Retrieve August
13, 2021, from
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/PPE_
v-03-01-17.pptx&ved=2ahUKEwjk4d-IprDyAhUW7WEKHQ1yBQYQFnoECCEQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3q_
W2Ij-sukT8iRYpq6x1v

4. Define and give at least two (2) examples of the following hazards:
A. Chemical Hazard:
● It includes harmful or potentially harmful chemicals used by healthcare employees.
● Examples: Strong acids and bases, neurotoxins

B. Physical Hazard:
● In the healthcare setting, these are any nonbiological objects that may cause injury or illness to
healthcare employees, patients, or visitors. Also, it can result from using improper ergonomics
in the workplace or a lack of common sense practices.
● Examples: Allergen exposure, chemical hazards

C. Electrical Hazard:
● It includes any contact with electrical equipment or the failure of equipment that creates a
dangerous condition.
● Examples: Electric shock, burn, unprotected electrical outlets, poor wiring

D. Biological Hazard:
● These are substances that can threaten human health. It includes materials that may be
contaminated with infectious agents.
● Examples: Blood and Body fluids, Medical Waste
Student Contributor: Magsipoc, K
Reference: Booth, K., Mundt, L. (2019). Phlebotomy: A Competency-Based Approach. 5th edition.
Retrieve August 14, 2021
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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

Part 2: Draw the symbols of hazards (irritant, severe toxicity, flammable, carcinogenic, corrosive,
biohazard). Draw on any clean paper and paste it into this file. On your drawing, include the names of
the members of your group in the upper right corner.

Student contributor: Lano, G.

 DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

Student Contributor: Liwanag, A

 DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

● Irritant

● Severe Toxicity

Student Contributor: Magsipoc, K.

 DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE
MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

Part 3. Label the instrument and give its uses.

1.

● Vertical Autoclave
● Uses: Vertical autoclaves are also known as top loading sterilizers that come in a cylindrical
shape. These are widely used in hospitals, Operation Theater (OT), microbiology laboratories
for sterilization of various medial and cultures.
● Autoclaves operate at high temperatures and pressure to kill microorganisms and spores. They
are used to decontaminate certain biological waste and sterilize media, instruments, and
labware.

Student Contributor: Magsipoc, K.

References:
● Staniszewska and Wagner. (2021). Autoclave Use. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from
[https://ehs.princeton.edu/laboratory-research/biological-safety/autoclave-use]
● Stericox. (2017). VERTICAL AUTOCLAVE. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from
[https://www.stericox.com/autoclave/vertical-autoclave.html]
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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

2.

● Centrifuge
● Uses: Centrifugation is the process where a mixture is separated through spinning. It is used to
separate skim milk from whole milk, water from your clothes, and blood cells from your blood
plasma.
● These are used in various laboratories to separate fluids, gases, or liquids based on density.
● In research and clinical laboratories, centrifuges are often used for cell, organelle, virus,
protein, and nucleic acid purification.

Student Contributor: Magsipoc, K.

References:
● Cena and Zundel (2016), What is Centrifugation? - Definition, Process & Uses, Accessed by:
August 12, 2021, Retrieved from:
[https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-centrifugation-definition-process-uses.html#:~:text=
Centrifugation%20is%20the%20process%20of,that%20spins%2C%20for%20this%20process.
&text=This%20is%20how%20a%20mixture%20with%20different%20sized%20particles%20can
%20get%20separated.]
● Lab Manager (2019), The Basics of Centrifuge Operation and Maintenance, Accessed by:
August 12, 2021, Retrieved from:
[https://www.labmanager.com/product-focus/the-basics-of-centrifuge-operation-and-maintenanc
e-1433]
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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

3.

● pH Meter
● Uses PH meter, the electric device used to measure hydrogen-ion activity (acidity or alkalinity)
in solution. Fundamentally, a pH meter consists of a voltmeter attached to a pH-responsive
electrode and a reference (unvarying) electrode.
● pH meters are used for soil measurements in agriculture, water quality for municipal water
supplies, swimming pools, environmental remediation; brewing of wine or beer; manufacturing,
healthcare, and clinical applications such as blood chemistry; and many other applications.

Student Contributor: Magsipoc, K.

References:
● Britannica (2021), PH meter, Accessed by: August 12, 2021, Retrieved from
[https://www.britannica.com/technology/pH-meter]
● Wikipedia (2021), pH meter, Accessed by: August 12, 2021, Retrieved from
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PH_meter]

4.

● LABORATORY INCUBATOR - Incubators are used in modern research laboratories to maintain

a stable environment for processes such as growing cells and microbiological cultures and
incubating antibodies and cells for fluorescence microscopy.

Student Contributor: Liwanag, A.

REFERENCE: Bassner (2021). The power of diversity in the lab. Retrieved on August 13, 2021, from:
https://www.labmanager.com/lab-product/evolution-of-the laboratory-incubator-19103
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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

5.

● ELECTROPHORESIS CHAMBER - Electrophoresis is a technique that enables the separation

and analysis of charged molecules in an electric field. Gel electrophoresis is most commonly
used for the separation and purification of proteins and nucleic acids that differ in size, charge,
or conformation. 

Student Contributor: Liwanag, A

REFERENCE: Isbir & Dalan (2013). Gel Electrophoresis. Retrieved on August 13, 2021, from:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/gel-electro
phoresis

6.

● BIOSAFETY CABINET - Biosafety cabinets (BSCs) are one type of biocontainment equipment
used in biological laboratories to provide personnel, environmental, and product protection.
Most BSCs (e.g., Class II and Class III) use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in both
the exhaust and supply system to prevent exposure to biohazards.

Student Contributor: Liwanag, A.

REFERENCE: Public Health Emergency (2019). Biosafety cabinets. Retrieved on August 13, 2021,
from https://www.phe.gov/s3/BioriskManagement/biocontainment/Pages/Biosafety-Cabinets.aspx
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MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
BIOCHEMISTRY FOR MLS – LABORATORY

7.

● Microscope
● Microscopes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and types but the most common use is to
magnify small objects. It generates 2D or 3D representations of various objects. This device is
important in laboratories because of its ability to magnify objects.Specifically, this is a binocular
microscope, a microscope with two eyepieces to make viewing easier and reduce eye strain.

Student Contributor: Lano, G.

References: National Geographic. (2019). Microscopes. Retrieve August 13, 2021, from
https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/microscopes/#:~:text=A%20microscope%20is%20an
%20instrument,larger%20than%20it%20actually%20is.

8.

● Water Bath
● A water bath is a laboratory device used to incubate samples in water that is kept at a
constant temperature. Temperature can be controlled digitally or with a dial, and once
set, the water bath cycles on and off to ensure temperature consistency.

Student Contributor: Lano, G.

References: News Medical Life Sciences. (n.d). Lab Instruments and Equipment. Retrieve August 13,
2021, from https://www.news-medical.net/Life-Science-and-Laboratory/Laboratory-Water-Baths