BIOCHEM LABORATORY o Stirring Rod: used for stirring

liquids or mixing substances in

laboratory experiments.
Laboratory Equipment

o Test Tube: hold small amounts of o Volumetric Flask: designed to hold

liquids or substances for various a specific volume of liquid
laboratory experiments and tests. at a precise temperature.

o Distilling Flask: used for distillation

o Test Tube Rack: a rack or holder
processes to separate and collect
designed to hold multiple test tubes
components of a mixture based on
upright.
their boiling points.

o Test Tube Holder: used to hold

o Wire Gauze: often placed on top of
individual test tubes securely,
a Bunsen burner or other heat source
especially when they are hot.
to support glassware during heating.

o Test Tube Brush: used for cleaning

o Spatula: used for transferring small
the inside of test tubes.
amounts of solid chemicals or
substances.
o Beaker: used for measuring, mixing,
and heating liquids and solutions.
o Watch Glass: used as a cover
or for evaporating small amounts of
liquid.
o Erlenmeyer Flask: used for
titration, mixing, and heating liquids.
o Crucible with Cover: used for
heating substances to high
o Graduated Cylinder: used to
temperatures.
measure the volume of liquids
accurately.
o Pipette: used for precise
measurement and transfer of
o Weighing Scale: used to measure the
small volumes of liquid.
mass or weight of objects or
substances with high precision.
o Crucible Tongs: designed to handle
crucibles safely, especially when
they are hot.
o Hot Plate: used for heating
substances in laboratory
experiments, often with
adjustable temperature settings.
o Iron Stand: used to hold
various laboratory equipment,
such as clamps and supports.
o Iron Ring: an iron stand to
support laboratory glassware,
such as a funnel or flask.
o Burette: used for precise titration
of liquids.
o Evaporating Dish: used for the
evaporation of liquids to concentrate
solutions or recover solids.
o Iron Clamp: used to secure
laboratory glassware, such as a
burette or flask, to an iron stand.
o Micropipette: used for dispensing
very small volumes of liquid, often
in microliters.
o Triple Beam Balance: for
measuring mass with high accuracy.
o Mortar & Pestle: used for grinding
and mixing substances, especially
solids, to create a fine powder or
homogenous mixture.
Questions:
1. Which glasswares are used in measuring
volume?
2. Which of these glasswares measure the
most accurate volume?
3. Which apparatuses are used for heating a
setup?
4. Give some safety measures when working
in a laboratory, especially when using
glasswares.
Diffusion: the process by which particles or
molecules move from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower
concentration.
o It occurs in various states of matter,
including gases, liquids, and solids.
Diffusion happens due to the random
motion of particles, driven by their
kinetic energy.
Osmosis: is a specific type of diffusion that
involves the movement of water molecules
across a selectively permeable membrane
from an area of lower solute concentration to
an area of higher solute concentration.
o In osmosis, water molecules move
through the membrane to equalize
the concentration of solute particles
on both sides of the membrane. It is a
fundamental process in biology and
plays a crucial role in various
biological and physiological
processes.
Dialysis: Dialysis is a medical and
laboratory procedure used to remove waste
products and excess fluids from the blood
when the kidneys are unable to perform this
function adequately.
Title: Osmosis in Potato Cells
Objective: To observe and investigate the
process of osmosis in plant cells by placing
potato slices in solutions of varying salt
concentrations.
Incubation: Allow the potato slices to soak
in the solutions for a set period, such as 30
minutes to 1 hour. Ensure that the conditions
(temperature, light) are the same for all
containers.
Observation: After the incubation period,
remove the potato slices from the solutions
and blot them gently with paper towels to
remove excess solution.
Observe and compare the appearance of the
potato slices in each container. Note any
changes in size, texture, or color.
Analysis and Discussion: Compare the
initial and final masses of the potato slices in
each solution.
o Discuss the changes observed in the
potato slices and explain them in
terms of osmosis.
o Which potato slices gained mass,
which lost mass, and which remained
relatively unchanged?
o Explain why these changes occurred
based on the movement of water
molecules in response to the salt
concentration.
This experiment demonstrates the effects of
osmosis on plant cells by placing them in
solutions of different salt concentrations. It
should illustrate how water moves into or
out of the potato cells depending on the
surrounding salt concentration, leading to
changes in the size and texture of the potato
slices.
Title: Crystallization of Naphthalene Balls
Objective: To demonstrate the process of
crystallization by dissolving naphthalene
balls in a solvent and then allowing the
naphthalene to re-crystallize as the solution
cools.
Procedure:
1. Safety Precautions
- Put on safety goggles and laboratory gloves
to protect your eyes and skin.
2. Preparation:
- Weigh a small amount (about 10-15 grams)
of naphthalene balls using a balance and record
the exact mass.
3. Dissolution:
- Place the naphthalene balls in a clean, dry
glass beaker.
- Heat a small amount of distilled water in
another beaker until it is just below boiling
temperature (approximately 80-90°C).
- Carefully pour the hot water over the
naphthalene balls in the beaker. Use just enough
water to completely cover the naphthalene balls.
Stir the mixture gently with a glass stirring rod
until the naphthalene balls dissolve completely.
4. Cooling and Crystallization:
 - Allow the naphthalene solution to cool
gradually to room temperature. You can speed
up this process by placing the beaker in an ice
bath.
- As the solution cools, observe the formation
of naphthalene crystals. They should start to
appear as the solution cools down.
5. Filtration:
- Once the solution has cooled and
crystallization is evident, set up a filtration
apparatus with a funnel and filter paper over
another clean beaker.
- Carefully pour the solution through the filter
paper to separate the naphthalene crystals from
the liquid.
6. Collection of Crystals:
- Remove the filter paper with the naphthalene
crystals and place it on a watch glass or Petri
dish to allow the crystals to air-dry completely.
7. Mass Measurement:
- After the crystals have dried, weigh them
using a balance and record the mass.
Analysis and Discussion:
1. Calculate the percent recovery of
naphthalene by comparing the mass of the
recovered crystals to the initial mass of
naphthalene balls used.
2. Discuss the process of crystallization and
how it occurs in this experiment.
3. Explain why hot water is used to dissolve
the naphthalene balls and why the solution is
allowed to cool slowly.
4. What factors could affect the yield of
crystals in this experiment?
This experiment demonstrates the principles
of crystallization by dissolving naphthalene
in a hot solvent and then allowing it to re-
crystallize as the solution cools. It also
allows for discussions on the concepts of
solubility, supersaturation, and the
formation of pure crystals from a solution.
Volume Transfer (pipette vs test tube)
Volume transfer in a laboratory setting can
be accomplished using various tools,
including pipettes and test tubes. Here, we'll
discuss the differences between these two
methods for volume transfer:
1. Pipette
o Precision and Accuracy: Pipettes are
highly precise and accurate
instruments for transferring known
volumes of liquids. They are
calibrated to deliver a specific
volume, such as 10 mL or 100 µL,
with high accuracy.
o Volume Range: Pipettes come in a
wide range of sizes to accommodate
different volume requirements, from
microliters (µL) to milliliters (mL).
o Controlled Dispensing: Pipettes
allow for precise control over the
volume being transferred. This is
especially important when handling
small volumes or when high
accuracy is required.
o Disposable Tips: Many pipettes use
disposable tips, which reduce the risk
 of cross-contamination between used in chemistry, biology, and
samples. microbiology laboratories.
o Common Types: Common types of
pipettes include micropipettes (for
microliter volumes), serological In summary, pipettes are specialized
pipettes (for milliliter volumes), and instruments designed for precise and
volumetric pipettes (for very accurate volume transfer, making them
accurate measurements). suitable for tasks that require exact
o Applications: Pipettes are often used measurements. Test tubes, on the other hand,
in analytical chemistry, molecular are versatile containers used for a wide
biology, and medical laboratories for range of laboratory purposes but are
tasks like measuring reagents, generally less precise for volume transfer.
transferring samples, and making The choice between pipettes and test tubes
dilutions. depends on the specific requirements of the
experiment and the desired level of accuracy
and precision.
2. Test Tube
o Precision and Accuracy: Test tubes
are not as precise or accurate as
pipettes when it comes to volume
transfer. They are typically used for
rough volume estimates rather than
precise measurements.
o Volume Range: Test tubes come in
various sizes, but their volume
measurements are typically not as
exact as those of pipettes.
o Controlled Dispensing: Test tubes do
not offer the same level of control
over volume dispensing as pipettes.
Pouring liquids into a test tube can
result in spillage and less accurate
measurements.
o Reusable: Test tubes are typically
reusable, which can be cost-
effective. However, this can also lead
to the risk of cross-contamination if
not cleaned thoroughly.
o Applications: Test tubes are
commonly used for mixing, heating,
and storing small to moderate
volumes of liquids. They are often