8

BIOTECHNOLOGY
Quarter 1
Learning Material 2
Laboratory Equipment
 BIOTECH 8
Quarter 1 – LM2
Laboratory Equipment

KRYSTEL MAE P. OREDINA

Teacher
Icons of this Learning Material

Target This provides you the skills or

competencies you are expected to learn
in the learning material.

This introduces the lesson through

Jumpstart varied activities like an activity,
games, graphic organizer, problem
opener, song, or a situation.

This gives a brief discussion of the

Discover lesson. It intends to help you
discover and understand new
concepts and skills.

Explore This includes activities for independent

practice to intensify your understanding
of the topic and to harness your skills.

Deepen This provides activities which will

encourage you to apply your new
knowledge or skills into real life
situations

Gauge This is a task which aims to evaluate

your level of mastery in achieving the
desired learning competency.

Key to Answers An answer key to a test or activities.

 Target
In this module, you will learn about the use of laboratory
apparatus/equipment.
To help you understand the module, you will be doing the
following activities in the lesson:

Lessons: Uses of Laboratory Equipment

 Activity 1: What Am I?
 Activity 2: Science Laboratory Safety Symbols
 Deepen
 Gauge

At the end of this module, you are expected to:

 discuss the uses of common laboratory equipment;
 explain how to use/operate some of the laboratory
equipment used in biotechnology;
 demonstrate safe handling of laboratory equipment;
 identify safety precautions in handling laboratory
equipment;
 distinguish the Science laboratory safety symbols.
What I Know (Pre-test)
Multiple Choices: Read and answer the questions in the best way you can.
Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided before each number.
_____1. Which of the following is used to weigh substances or objects?
A. Electronic balance C. Graduated cylinder
B. Beaker D. Thermometer
_____2. Which laboratory equipment is attached to ring stand and with wire gauze
used to hold beakers or flasks while they are heated by a gas burner?
A. Forceps B. Ring clamp C. Test tube D. Tongs
_____3. Which of the following is used to measure small volumes of liquids
accurately?
A. Balance B. Beaker C. Graduated cylinder D. Micropipet
_____4. Which of the following explains the function of a microscope?
A. It is a machine that uses water, pressure and heat to decontaminate
materials in a laboratory.
B. It is used for viewing samples which cannot be seen through a naked
eye.
C. It is used in titrations to measure precisely how much liquid has been
delivered.
_____5. Which is used to hold crucibles when they are being heated?
A. Clay triangle B. Crucible and cover C. Forceps D. Tongs
_____6. Which of the following states the function of a spatula? It is used to
_______.
A. scoop out small or large amounts of chemicals from bottles
B. move small amounts of solid from place to place
C. store, mix and heat small amounts of chemicals
D. measure the volumes of liquids
_____7. Which of the following states the function of a burette? A burette is used
to_______.
A. decontaminate certain biological wastes, and sterilize media,
instruments and lab ware
B. draw up a set volume of liquid to allow it to be transferred to another
container
C. deliver solution in precisely-measured, variable volumes
D. magnify microorganisms
_____8. Autoclave is used to sterilize materials. Which of the following is NOT TRUE
on how to properly use autoclave?
A. The amount of time needed to sterilize microorganisms is dependent
upon the temperature and pressure.
B. The temperature of the steam must be 200 degrees Celsius when
sterilizing glassware.
C. Effective sterilization occurs when the steam temperature exceeds 121
degrees Celsius.
D. Autoclave pressurization should be at least 20 psi.
_____9. During your experiment, why does your teacher reminded you not to use
“fast exhaust” cycle for liquids? The liquid might ______.
A. evaporate B. overflow C. spill D. leak
_____10. Which of the following symbols indicates the presence of substances that
may harm an individual if they enter the body?
A. B. C. D.
 LABORATORY EQUIPMENT
LESSON

Jumpstart
Working in the laboratory is one of the best parts about being a biologist.
There are so many fun activities to do, experiments to run, and things to learn.
When doing biology lab activities and experiments, there's a whole host of
equipment that may be used. Some of this equipment can be quite fancy and
specialized, but for the most part, biologists use some standard stuff to get the job
done. What do you think are the common laboratory equipment they use?

Discover
Laboratory Equipment and Their Uses

The daily routine of a biologist/biotechnologist involves the use of basic

equipment in their biology/biotechnology experiments — such as microscopes, test
tubes, beakers, and Bunsen burners — as well as high-tech scientific equipment
and computers.

This equipment is the bare-bone basics that you’d find in any laboratory.
This equipment is necessary for the basic studies of biology: visualizing cells and
organelles, as well as preparing samples of cells or fluids for testing or
visualization, dissecting specimens, or mixing chemicals. The following are some of
the common laboratory equipment used in conducting experiments.

Common Laboratory Equipment Uses

1. Bunsen burner Used for heating and exposing items to
flame.
2. Burettte/Buret Used in titrations to measure precisely
how much liquid has been delivered.
3. Beaker Used to hold and heat liquids.
Multipurpose and essential in the lab.
4. Wire brush Used to easily clean the inside of a test
tubes and other glassware.
5. Clay triangle Used to hold crucibles when they are
being heated. They usually sit on a ring
stand.
6. Crucible and cover Used to heat small quantities to very
high temperatures.
7. Tongs Used to hold crucibles and evaporating
 dishes when they are hot.
8. Micropipets Used for accurately measuring and
delivering very small volumes of liquid-
usually 1 mL or less.
9. Electronic balance Used for weighing substances or
objects, usually in grams.
10. Erlenmeyer flask Used to heat, mix, and store liquids.
The advantage to the Erlenmeyer Flask
is that the bottom is wider than the top
so it will heat quicker because of the
greater surface area exposed to the
heat.
11. Evaporating dish Used to recover dissolved solids by
evaporation.
12. Forceps Used for picking up and moving small
objects.
13. Funnel Used to pour liquids into any container
so they will not be lost or spilled. They
are also used with folded filter paper for
filtration.
14. Graduated cylinder Used to measure the volumes of
liquids.
15. Hot plate Used for heating substances and
liquids in beakers and flasks.
16. Mortar and pestle Used to crush solids into powders for
experiments, usually to better dissolve
the solids.
17. Ring clamp Attached to ring stand and with wire
gauze used to hold beakers or flasks
while they are heated by a gas burner.
18. Ring stand Used to hold items being heated.
Clamps or rings can be used so that
items may be placed above the lab
table for heating by Bunsen burners or
other items.
19. Scoopula For scooping out small or large
amounts of chemicals from bottles, etc.
20. Spatula Used for moving small amounts of solid
from place to place.
21. Test tube holder Used to hold test tubes while heating.
22. Test tubes Used for storing, mixing, and heating
small amounts of chemicals.
23. Test tube rack Used to hold test tubes while reactions
happen in them or while they are not
needed.
24. Thermometer Used to take temperature of solids,
liquids, and gases.
25. Utility clamp Used to attach test tubes and other
glassware to ring stand.
26. Separatory funnel For separating layers of immiscible
liquids or for dropping liquids.
27. Wash bottle Used to wash or rinse other containers.
28. Wire gauze Used with a ring clamp to support
glassware over a Bunsen burner.
 Spreads flame out for more even
heating.
29. Watch glass Used to hold solids when being weighed
or transported. They should never be
heated. Can also be used to cover
beakers or other containers.
30. Microscope An instrument that is used to magnify
small objects.
31. Autoclave It is a machine that uses steam under
pressure to kill harmful bacteria,
viruses, fungi, and spores on items that
are placed inside a pressure vessel.

How do Autoclaves work?

Autoclaves use water, pressure, and heat to create superheated steam that
kills microorganisms and spores. They are used to decontaminate certain biological
waste and sterilize media, instruments and lab ware.
Steam sterilization is mainly a function of temperature, pressure and time:
 Temperature: Effective sterilization occurs when the steam
temperature exceeds 1210C (2500F).
 Pressure: Autoclave pressurization should be at least 20 psi
(pound-force per square inch).
 Time: The amount of time needed to sterilize most organism is
dependent upon the temperature and pressure. At 121 0C in a
vessel pressurized to 20 psi, bags at least 30 minutes to sterilize.
Cycle Selection:
 Cycle Parameters Materials
Dry 1210C; 30-90 min Glassware, pipet tips,
sterilization, 0-30 min surgical tools, etc.
dry/vacuum
Liquid 1210C; 20-90 min Media, broth, water,
sterilization, slow exhaust etc.
Decontamination 1210C; 60-75 min Biohazardous waste
sterilization,

How to handle a Burette?

1. Rinse the burette with the standard solution to be used, and align burette
tube vertically.
2. Fill the burette slightly above the zero mark. To prime the stopcock, drain
the burette no further than the nominal capacity.
3. Refill the burette with titrant free of air bubbles to approx. 5 mm above the
zero mark.
4. Drain liquid to set the zero point accurately. Important: Meniscus must be
read at eye level (parallax-free level). Automatic burettes: Fill to
approximately 5 mm above the zero mark. This is adjusted automatically
after air release.
5. Wipe off any drops adhering to the discharge tip.
6. Open the stopcock and slowly add titrant to the sample (containing the
indicator). The discharge tip must not touch the wall of the vessel. Keep
swirling the sample vessel lightly while adding titrant, or place it on a
magnetic stirrer.
7. Read the discharged volume at eye level.
8. Any drops remaining on the tip of the stopcock should be wiped against the
vessel wall and rinsed down. It is part of the titrated volume.

How to use a Pipet?

1. Get the appropriate amount of the solution you wish to pipet in a small,
clean, dry beaker. Never pipet directly out of the stock bottles of solution.
This creates a contamination risk.
2. Insert the tip of the pipet into the beaker of solution so that it is about 1/4”
from the bottom.
3. Hold the pipet in your right hand, leaving your index finger free to place over
the top of the pipet. With your left hand, squeeze the pipet bulb. Press it
firmly over the top of the pipet, but DO NOT INSERT THE PIPET INTO THE
BULB!! Release the pressure on the bulb and allow the solution to flow into
the pipet until it is above the volume mark. Do not allow the solution to
reach the bulb.
4. Quickly remove the bulb and place your index finger firmly over the top of
the pipet. Slowly roll you finger to one side and allow the liquid to drain until
the bottom of the meniscus is aligned with the volume mark.
5. When the bottom of the meniscus is even with the volume mark, press your
index finger firmly on the top of the pipet so no liquid leaks out. Pull the
pipet out of the solution and touch the tip once to the side of the container.
6. To transfer the solution, place the tip of the pipet against the wall of the
receiving container at an angle of 10-20 degrees. Slowly allow the liquid to
drain from the pipet. Keep the flow slow so that no droplets cling to the
inside of the pipet.
7. When the solution stops flowing, touch the pipet once to the side of the
receiving container to remove any hanging drops. DO NOT blow out the
 remaining solution. The pipet has been calibrated to deliver the appropriate
amount of solution with some remaining in the tip.

Explore
Activity 1: What Am I?

Directions: Identify the equipment being described based from the given pictures
below. Draw the laboratory equipment on the given answer sheet.
Laboratory Equipment Function
1. Used with a ring clamp to support glassware over a
Bunsen burner. Spreads flame out for more even
heating.
2. Used to easily clean the inside of a test tubes and
other glassware.
3. Used for moving small amounts of solid from place to
place.
4. Used for picking up and moving small objects.
5. Used to hold crucibles and evaporating dishes when
they are hot.
 6. Used for heating and exposing items to flame.
7. Attached to ring stand and with wire gauze used to
hold beakers or flasks while they are heated by a gas
burner.
8. Used to hold test tubes while reactions happen in
them or while they are not needed.
9. For scooping out small or large amounts of chemicals
from bottles, etc.
10. Used to crush solids into powders for experiments,
usually to better dissolve the solids.
11. Used to hold items being heated. Clamps or rings can
be used so that items may be placed above the lab
table for heating by Bunsen burners or other items.
12. Used for storing, mixing, and heating small amounts
of chemicals.
13. Used for heating substances and liquids in beakers
and flasks.
14. Used to recover dissolved solids by evaporation.
15. Used for picking up and moving small objects.

Activity 2: Science Laboratory Safety Symbols

A laboratory can be filled with dangerous chemicals, radioactive substances,

biological specimens, sharp instruments, breakable glassware, and flammable
objects. Thus, those working in labs need to be keenly aware of the many dangers
associated with these items. In order to maintain a safe workplace and avoid
accidents, lab safety symbols and signs need to be posted throughout the
workplace. In this activity, you will learn some of the laboratory safety symbols.

Directions: Match column A (Safety Symbol) to column B (Meaning of the SS)

Column A (Safety Symbol) Column B (Meaning)

1. A. It indicates corrosive substances
in the lab that can eat away the
skin if you come into direct
contact with them.

2. B. It indicates to lab personnel the

risk and prohibition of open
flame devices.

3. C. It is a general warning to
laboratory staff that a hazard
exists.
4. D. It denotes chemicals in the lab
that can cause serious, often
long-term health problems.

5. E. It indicates the presence of

substances that may harm an
individual if they enter the body.

6. F. It indicates the presence of

ionizing radiation.

7. G. It indicates the availability of a

first aid kit.

8. H. This sign warns laboratory

employees of burn hazards from
hot surfaces.

9. I. It indicates corrosive substances

in the lab that can eat away the
skin if you come into direct
contact with them.

10. J. It lets lab personnel know that

eating and/or drinking where
hazardous materials are used,
handled, or stored is not
permitted

Deepen
Activity 3. Directions: Answer the followings questions briefly on the answer sheet
provided.

1. Which laboratory equipment can be used to see a cross-section of an E. coli

bacterium? ____________________________________
2. What tool or tools would you use to make each of the following measurements?
a. amount of water: ________________
b. temperature of water in a pond: _______________
c. mass of Sodium Chloride: _________________
3. How do laboratory equipment improve the observations made by a biologist/
biotechnologist? _____________________________________________________________
4. Explain how autoclaves work. ________________________________________________
5. Why do biologists need to sterilize materials when conducting an experiment?
_____________________________________________________________________________
6. What is the importance of a burette? _________________________________________
7. Why do you need to clean first the pipet before using? What will be its impact
to your experiment?
____________________________________________________________
8. Enumerate at least three (3) safety precautions in handling the following
laboratory equipment.
a. Autoclave
b. Pipet
c. Burette
d. Microscope

Gauge
Activity 4: Word Hunt

Directions: Find and encircle the words (laboratory equipment) in the puzzle
below. Look for them in all directions including backwards and
diagonal.
 Activity 5: Arrange Me!
Directions: Arrange the following steps in using the specific laboratory equipment.
Use letters.
BURETTE
______1. Fill the burette slightly above the zero mark.
______2. Rinse the burette with the standard solution to be used, and align
burette tube vertically.
______3. Refill the burette with titrant free of air bubbles to approx. 5 mm above
the zero mark.
______4. Read the discharged volume at eye level.
______5. Open the stopcock and slowly add titrant to the sample (containing the
indicator).
______6. Drain liquid to set the zero point accurately. Wipe off any drops adhering
to the discharge tip.
PIPET
______1. When the solution stops flowing, touch the pipet once to the side of the
receiving container to remove any hanging drops.
______2. Insert the tip of the pipet into the beaker of solution so that it is about
1/4” from the bottom.
______3. Get the appropriate amount of the solution you wish to pipet in a small,
clean, dry beaker.
______4. Hold the pipet in your right hand. With your left hand, squeeze the pipet
bulb.
 ______5. Quickly remove the bulb. Slowly roll you finger to one side and allow the
liquid to drain until the bottom of the meniscus is aligned with the
volume mark.
______6. When the bottom of the meniscus is even with the volume mark, press
your index finger firmly on the top of the pipet so no liquid leaks out.
______7. Place the tip of the pipet against the wall of the receiving container at an
angle of 10-20 degrees.
______8. Pull the pipet out of the solution and touch the tip once to the side of the
container.

What I Have Learned (Post-test)

Multiple Choices: Read and answer the questions in the best way you can.
Write the letter of the correct answer on the space provided before each number.

_____1. Which of the following is used to crush solids into powders for
experiments, usually to better dissolve the solids?
C. Electronic balance C. Crucible and cover
D. Mortar and pestle D. Spatula
_____2. Which laboratory equipment is used for heating substances and liquids in
beakers and flasks?
B. Funnel B. Hot plate C. Bunsen burner D. Tongs
_____3. Which of the following is used to hold solids when being weighed or
transported?
B. Balance B. Watch glass C. Wire gauze D. Micropipet
_____4. Which is used to pour liquids into any container so they will not be spilled?
A. Clay triangle B. Crucible and cover C. Funnel D. Tongs
_____5. Which of the following laboratory equipment is used for heating and
exposing items to flame?
A. Bunsen burner B. Hot plate C. Wire gauze D. Thermometer
_____6. What must be the temperature of the autoclave when decontaminating a
glassware?
A. 1180C B. 1200C C. 1210C D. 1250C
_____7. Which of the following explains the function of a microscope?
A. It is a machine that uses water, pressure and heat to decontaminate
materials in a laboratory.
B. It is used for viewing samples which cannot be seen through a naked eye.
C. It is used in titrations to measure precisely how much liquid has been
delivered.
_____8. Which of the following states the function of a graduated cylinder? It is
used to _______.
A. scoop out small or large amounts of chemicals from bottles
B. move small amounts of solid from place to place
C. store, mix and heat small amounts of chemicals
D. measure the volumes of liquids
_____9. Which of the following states the function of a burette? A burette is used
to_______.
A. decontaminate certain biological wastes, and sterilize media, instruments
and lab ware
B. draw up a set volume of liquid to allow it to be transferred to another
container
C. deliver solution in precisely-measured, variable volumes
D. magnify microorganisms
_____10. Autoclave is used to sterilize materials. Which of the following is NOT
TRUE on how to properly use autoclave?
A. The amount of time needed to sterilize microorganisms is dependent
upon the temperature and pressure.
B. The temperature of the steam must be 200 degrees Celsius when
sterilizing glassware.
C. Effective sterilization occurs when the steam temperature exceeds 121
degrees Celsius.
D. Autoclave pressurization should be at least 20 psi.
_____11. During your experiment, why does your teacher reminded you not to use
“fast exhaust” cycle for liquids? The liquid might ______.
A. evaporate B. overflow C. spill D. leak
_____12. Which of the following symbols indicates the presence of substances that
may harm an individual if they enter the body?
A. B. C. D.

_____13. Jane sterilized a liquid container using autoclave during their first
experiment and the bottle exploded. What must she do in their second
experiment to avoid explosion? To avoid explosion, ______.
A. release the liquid from the container
B. loosen caps on liquid containers
C. remove the caps of containers
D. crack the liquid containers
_____14. Why do you need to firmly lock or secure autoclave doors before operating
the autoclave? To prevent _____.
A. a sudden release of high-pressure steam
B. the spread of microorganisms
C. contamination of glassware
D. spilling of liquids
_____15. Which of the following must be done when using autoclaves?
I. Wait for the pressure gauge to drop to zero with zero time remaining
before opening the door.
II. Fill liquid containers only half-full to avoid boiling over.
III. Open the door cautiously.
IV. Let liquids stand for 1 hour after the autoclave is opened.
A. I, II, IV B. I, II, III C. I, III, IV D. II, III, IV
Key to Answers
References

Links:

https://www.losbanosusd.org/view/10370.pdf

https://www.cbsd.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?
moduleinstanceid=61543&dataid=99725&FileName=Lab%20-%20Equipment
%20Practice%20II.pdf

https://www.fishersci.com/us/en/education-products/featured-categories/
biotechnology-resources-education/implementing-biotechnology-program/
biotechnology-lab-safety-waste-disposal.html

https://www.csbsju.edu/biology/chemical-inventory-and-safety/chem-hygiene-
plan/10-safe-lab-practices

https://www.labmanager.com/lab-health-and-safety/science-laboratory-safety-
and-hazard-signs-meanings-6644

https://sites.google.com/a/d219.org/mr-kretsos/home-2/labwork/lab-equipment-
and-uses

https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/technical-documents/articles/biology/brand/how-
to-use-a-burette.html

http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu/genchem/lab/equipment/pipet/use.html