Biology Lab Equipments

[Taj Barnett]

Biology laboratories, or biological research and development labs, perform analyses, experiments, and studies to better understand how biological processes work. Scientists in biological R&D rely on a wide range of equipment to translate a scientific discovery into an intervention that improves human health and wellbeing.

An analytical lab balance weighs samples and substances between .01 and 500 milligrams. The measuring pans are generally enclosed inside a glass box to prevent dust from settling in the pan since they can disrupt testing.

Never place chemicals directly on the balance pan unless they are at room temperature and unreactive. Instead, place the sample in a container before measuring. Containers, glassware, and pieces of metal can be placed on the pan. Measure it, weighing the container first to adjust for its weight. Return the weights back to zero.

Microplate readers are used for analyzing specific phenomena in microtiter plates. This allows microbiologists to test multiple samples at once. These readers use absorbance, fluorescence and/or luminescence-based techniques to look at samples.

A flow cytometer detects and measures the cell biology of a group of particles or cell populations and is used for analyzing cell surface expressions and intracellular molecules. A computer then processes the data collected.

The sample for analysis must be suspended in a fluid. The fluid is injected into the flow cytometer where it is focused to move through a laser beam one cell at a time. After processing the sample, use the computer to analyze the results. These machines are often used in cell imaging, cell signaling, immunophenotyping, and more.

An NGS can be used to sequence an entire genome or look at specific parts of it, isolating certain genes. It is used to study genetic disease, population variations, protein interactions with nucleic acids, and much more.

PCR, short for polymerase chain reaction, is commonly used in biology and microbiology labs to amplify DNA sequences. The technique is performed using a PCR machine, also known as a thermal cycler or PCR system. Using a three step process, PCR can generate millions of copies of a specific piece of DNA.

It is considered a high-throughput technique and is widely used for many applications in the life sciences, such as molecular biology, microbiology, genetics, pharmaceutical research, diagnostics, clinical laboratories, forensic science, and much more.

The polymerase chain reaction process is spread across three steps, with the assistance of five essential reagents. The steps include denaturing, annealing, and extension, or elongation. Furthermore, there are five essential reagents needed to make PCR work. These include a DNA template, DNA Polymerase, primers, dNTPs(Deoxynucleotide triphosphate), and a PCR buffer or mix of buffers, including chemical compounds like MgCl2

Gel electrophoresis equipment is used to conduct the technique. Molecular samples are loaded into a box or chamber filled with a gel-like substance, such as agarose, which is a polysaccharide. The gel electrophoresis apparatus is equipped with a negative electrode, or anode, on one side and a positive electrode, or cathode, on the other side, creating an electrical current that courses through the gel from end to end.

Purchasing equipment new from the manufacturer requires a large upfront payment, but ensures that you have the highest quality equipment on the market. While new equipment has less of a chance of breakdown, future maintenance and repair costs or service contracts will add to these expenses.

Biology Laboratory in a high school is where we learn about different biological aspects of nature. We explore cells & tissues of plants and animals through a compound microscope, learn about the bones and body structure through Human Skelton, visualize important organs like the heart through biological models & learn different organ systems through educational charts. Further, we also explore various species through preserved specimens kept in Glass jars.

1. Safety apparatus: The foremost and most important thing to keep in mind is definitely the safety of the students and other people handling experiments in a lab. The safety apparatus consists of safety goggles, lab apron, and latex gloves. Shoes are a must and any kind of sandals or slippers should not be worn in the labs.

The safety goggles protect us from eye irritation that may arise from any chemical or fumes present there. In case of any accidental splashing of chemicals or acids, it also protects us from the blindness of the eyes.

A microscope is a very basic and needful equipment of any lab. A simple light microscope (compound microscope) is the one, which is mostly seen in schools and colleges and it uses light and a series of magnifying lenses to observe a tiny specimen.

3. Test tubes and test tube racks: Test tubes are usually cylindrical pipes made up of glass, with a circular opening on one side and a rounded bottom on the other. They come in different sizes but the most common standard size is 18*150 mm.

Test tubes are one of the most important apparatus as they are functional from storing to mixing reagents in any chemical or biological reactions. They become very handy when a large number of samples need to be tested for qualitative assessment of any test.

4. Dissecting tool kit: In school levels, for attending biology practical, students are instructed to bring their own dissecting tool kit which usually contains of a scalpel, pins, probes, scissors, a glass slide, a dissecting knife, coverslips, etc.

5. Hot plate: This equipment is used to heat materials in the lab, mostly glasswares and their contents. Some come up with magnetic stirrer, allowing the heated liquid to get stirred automatically. This stirring reduces the temperature of the glassware and it also slows down the rate of heat exchange thus encouraging even heating of the content.

9. Conical flasks: Conical flask, also known as Erlenmeyer flask, is an apparatus having a flat bottom and a long narrow neck, which allows easy mixing of the solution without spilling out the content. Since the flask has a narrow long neck, it is also used to gently heat the content inside with a gentle swirling motion of the flask. The flask can also be covered using a rubber cap or cork.

11. Funnels: Funnels are necessary equipment to pour substances and solutions in narrow-mouthed test tubes and conical flasks. There is a variety of its available, most common ones are filter, thistle, and dropping funnels.

12. Graduated cylinders: These are some cylindrical apparatus with several markings up and down the length of the container with the primary function dealing with proper measurement of a specific volume of liquid with precision. While taking readings, one needs to be careful to take into consideration the reading with respect to the meniscus of the liquid.

The dropper, also known as Pasteur pipette, is usually made up of plastic or glass cylinder, having a small nozzle on one side and a rubber holder on the other. It is used to put the liquids or solutions in any medium dropwise, that is, one drop at a time, a necessary equipment when any reagent is required in a precise amount in a solution.

Pipettes are of varying sizes, designed for titration experiments wherein chemicals are mixed in specific volume. These are narrow glass cylindrical pipes, used for measuring an exact volume of liquid and placing it into another container.

14. Dissecting pan: One of the most discussed biology practicals in higher classes is regarding the dissection experiment performed on cockroaches or frogs. This equipment is used as a pan on which the specimen is kept while it is being dissected to study its internal organs.

15. Glass slides and coverslips: Varieties of glass slides are available which are used for observation purposes of very small specimens. The microscope slides are used to support an item being examined under the microscope.

17. Spatulas and scopulas: These laboratory spatulas are very much similar to the kitchen like spatulas found in our home but they are just very smaller in size in comparison. The spatulas are usually resistant to heat and acids, hence making them suitable for large range use in the laboratory experiments.

18. Thermometer: Every lab is equipped with a basic thermometer as many a time, certain chemical or biological reaction can be carried out in any particular temperature range only and so to proceed, the thermometer becomes very necessary to measure the temperature of the required solution before moving forward with further reaction procedure.

These two cannot be called apparatus in a proper way, but they serve as one of the most important and basic things that will be required in any kind of laboratories. The litmus paper serves to identify the pH of any solution by changing colors whereas, the filter paper helps in the filtration process.

These are the basic apparatus that one can witness in any school or college biology labs. Other than these, one will also get to see wash bottles, stirring rods, stopwatch, weighing balance or brushes to clean test tubes. As these apparatuses serve the basic, every student must get familiar with all this equipment and their working to have safe and sound practical experiment experiences in High school biology laboratories.

We are a School laboratory furniture and Lab equipment manufacturer and supplier. In laboratory furniture for school, we first design the entire laboratory room keeping in mind the requirements as per affiliation CBSE Bye-Laws. Also, we take care of the complete designing and installation of laboratory furniture.

In the lab equipment section, we have a wide range of glassware, chemicals, equipment and other lab accessories. Most of them are available for order online on our website but some of them can be procured on demand.

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