10.01: Describe the proper name of, and use for, common
biotechnology laboratory equipment Biotechnology Lab Equipment
Slide 2
Laboratory Equipment - Supplies Autoclave Centrifuge
Microcentrifuge Micropipette Compound Light Microscope Incubator
Water Bath Hot Plate Petri Dish Agarose Gel - Agar Graduated
Cylinder Shaker Gel Electrophoresis Chamber Gel Electrophoresis
Power Source White Light Box Centrifuge Tubes Pipette Tips
Inoculating Tube DNA Loading Dye Buffer
Slide 3
Laboratory Equipment Autoclave Chamber that uses high levels of
heat and pressure to sterilize instruments and materials Destroys
harmful organisms and pathogens One of the simplest looks a great
deal like a pressure cooker. It is a large pot with a gauge on top
and bolts that fasten the top to the pot. The idea behind this is
that water inside a pressurized container can be heated above the
boiling point. It will only reach 212F (100C) in an open container.
However, in a pressurized autoclave, the water will reach much
higher temperatures.
Slide 4
Laboratory Equipment Centrifuge instrument used to isolate
solids (in the form of a small pellet) from a solution. This is
done by spinning closed containers of the mixture very quickly
around a fixed, central point. The centrifugal force generated by
this motion forces the denser material in the suspension against
the walls of the containerspinningcentrifugal force a. Utilizes
very small tubes to hold solution.
Slide 5
Laboratory Equipment Micropipette instrument used to measure
and extract very small amounts of liquid from a solution. a.
Different versions measure to different levels of accuracy, but
usually to the nearest uL (micro Liter). b. Often used to hand
small amounts of solution needed in DNA labs.
Slide 6
Laboratory Equipment Compound Light Microscope the most common
and versatile microscope in agricultural research labs. a. Uses a
light source in combination with a variety of lenses to magnify
images usually up to no more than 200x.
Slide 7
Laboratory Equipment Incubator sealed chamber with controls to
manage temperature (and sometimes humidity)- used for the culture
of microorganisms.
Slide 8
Laboratory Equipment Water Bath vessel that uses water to heat
or maintain a constant temperature of laboratory materials or
equipment Often used to heat or thaw fragile biological substances
including semen
Slide 9
Laboratory Equipment Hot Plate instrument that applies direct
heat to glassware containing laboratory solutions. Coil models
(like stove tops) are dangerous- newer models have ceramic tops and
often integrated magnetic stirrers.
Slide 10
Laboratory Equipment Petri Dish type of glass or plastic
shallow round dish with a close fitting lid most well known for
holding a culture medium upon which cells, bacteria, and viruses
can be grown and studied
Slide 11
Laboratory Equipment Agarose Gel Agar a substance that is used
in science for gel electrophoresis The medium is composed of a
purified agarose powder that has been boiled in a buffer solution
and then cooled into a gel.
Slide 12
Laboratory Equipment Graduated Cylinder a measuring instrument
for measuring fluid volume; a glass container (cup or cylinder or
flask) whose sides are marked with or divided into amounts
Slide 13
Laboratory Equipment Shaker used to mix or agitate small
volumes of solution, often prior to placement in a centrifuge.
Slide 14
Laboratory Equipment Gel Electrophoresis Chamber During DNA
electrophoresis DNA and restriction enzymes are inserted into the
wells of a agarose gel. The agarose gel is then placed into a
electrophoresis chamber along with a buffer (the buffer keeps the
DNA fragments soluble in water). The electrophoresis chamber has a
electrical charge running through it that carries the DNA fragments
through the gel
Slide 15
Laboratory Equipment Gel Electrophoresis Power Source The
actual power source that sends an electric charge through the
chamber, causing the DNA to run and break into smaller visible
fragments
Slide 16
Laboratory Equipment White Light Box A UV light box that is
used under a DNA gel in order to better determine and detect DNA
fragments
Slide 17
Laboratory Equipment Centrifuge Tubes A tapered and
specially-engineered test tube specifically for centrifuge work,
designed to resist the high G-forces induced by the centrifugal
forces. They are mainly used in medical work to centrifuge human
blood for test purposes
Slide 18
Laboratory Equipment Pipette Tips Disposable tips used to
protect the micropipetter from contamination These tips are used
and disposed of after EACH use in order to prevent contamination
and reduce clean up and sterilization
Slide 19
Laboratory Equipment Inoculating Tube Loop is a simple tool
used mainly by microbiologists to retrieve an inoculum from a
culture of microorganisms. The loop is used in the cultivation of
microbes on plates by transferring inoculum for
streaking.microbiologists inoculumculturestreaking
Slide 20
Laboratory Equipment DNA Loading Dye First, loading dye is
meant to help weigh down the DNA, so that it can sink into the
bottom of the wells and not float in the buffer solution loading
dye moves more quickly than the actual DNA parts so it is an
indicator to when to turn off the power on the electrophoresis
chamber The dye also makes the DNA visible to the naked eye, giving
it a purplish color, and making it easier to work with.
Slide 21
10.02: Demonstrate approved safety practices while conducting
scientific experiments in a biotechnology laboratory. Biotechnology
Lab Equipment
Slide 22
Use of Laboratory Equipment 1. A graduated cylinder is used to
measure the volume of liquids. Readings should always be taken at
the MENISCUS, at the lowest part of the curve. 2. When using a
water bath to thaw semen straws, the bath should be heated to 99 F
and the straws submersed for 45 seconds immediately upon removal
from the storage tank.
Slide 23
Use of Laboratory Equipment 3. To avoid air bubbles and extract
the correct amount of solution utilizing a micropipette, the tip
must be completely submerged in the solution. 4. Proper use of a
centrifuge requires that the instrument be balanced. This can be
accomplished by placing and equal number of tubes directly across
from each other in the instrument.
Slide 24
Laboratory Equipment Safety 1. Check all gauges & valves
before using an autoclave. Never leave equipment unattended while
running, as high temperatures and pressure can be dangerous. 2.
When culturing bacteria, it is important that the incubator remains
closed, and the plates tightly sealed.
Slide 25
10.03: Prepare records, presentations, and reports detailing
scientific research, experiments and labs utilizing computer
technology. Biotechnology Lab Equipment
Slide 26
Logging Scientific Data 1. Most easily accomplished in a
database program ex: Microsoft Excel 2. Abilities include: a. Easy
input of large amounts of data in table form b. Quick manipulation
of data including; sorting, labeling, and the creation of charts /
graphs. c. Can handle both qualitative & quantitative
data.
Slide 27
Publishing Scientific Findings 1. Word processors are usually
used to prepare scientific reports- ex: Microsoft Word or Apple
Works. 2. Abilities include: a. Allow quick entry and manipulation
of large amounts of text. b. Easy import of graphics and charts
from other programs. c. Ability to include hyperlinks and export
layout to html.
Slide 28
Presenting Research Findings 1. Accomplished in a specialized
presentation program- ex: Microsoft PowerPoint or Apple Keynote. 2.
Abilities include: a. Easy display of text points (bullets),
graphics, charts and even video. b. Highly visual and interactive
method for the presentation of research findings. c. Animation and
sound can be used for increased emphasis.