General Biology Laboratory

Manual

Prepared by:
Ayat almaraira & Dr. Randa Albdaiwi

2022-2023
 General Laboratory Instructions

LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Become familiar with laboratory infrastructure and other general laboratory procedures.

INTRODUCTION

The Biology laboratory provides an opportunity to observe first-hand things you have
studied in class. Here you will play the role of student/scientist, learning skills and
techniques that will allow you to examine biological phenomena. During this first
laboratory experience, you will be introduced to the laboratory manual and
experiments, organization of the laboratory, laboratory safety rules and
laboratory equipment.

Laboratory Manual

Each exercise in the manual is organized in the same way. It is important that you
review the laboratory procedures as an automatic homework assignment the day before
each lab is to be performed. This is so-called Pre-Lab Preparation. Be sure you are
familiar with the equipment and procedures for the weekly lab.

1. The Objectives tell exactly what you should learn from the exercise. If you wish to
know what will be on the exam, consult the objectives for each exercise.

2. The Introduction provides background information for the exercise and is intended
to stimulate your interest.

3. The Materials list for each portion of the exercise allows you to determine at a
glance whether you have all the necessary supplies needed to do the activity.

4. The Procedure for each section, in easy-to-follow step-by-step fashion, describes

the activity.

5. In the Laboratory Report, Exercises are posed with space for answers. You should
draw conclusions about activities you are engaged in. The Exercises are usually about:
What did you learn? What is your opinion or fill the table of certain data from your
exercises? Sometimes you are requested to draw diagrams for what you observed (This
is called Scientific Drawing).

Rules for scientific drawings and diagrams

Scientific drawings can be made using several methods, depending on the particular lab
or experiment and the purpose of the drawing. These drawings show the relative size,
shape, and location of different features of what is being drawn. Scientific drawings are
labeled to show the different features.

Use the following guidelines to help make your scientific drawing as clear as possible:

1) All drawings must be done in pencil ONLY.

2) Title your drawing and include the total magnification of your image
3) Label your drawing (always include labels of the important features of the
specimen).
All labels must have the followings:

a. Use a ruler to draw label lines

b. Do not use arrows for label lines
c. Label lines do not cross each other
d. Label lines should point to the center of the structure being labeled
e. Print all labels horizontally
f. Place all labels to the right-hand side of the drawing.
g. Print, do not write in cursive.

Figure1: Scientific drawing

 General Laboratory Safety Rules
Lab 1

LEARNING OBJECTIVE
Become familiar with general laboratory safety rules.

INTRODUCTION

The Biology lab is an inherently dangerous place, with fire hazards, dangerous
chemicals, and risky procedures. No one wants to have an accident in the lab, so it's
imperative to follow lab safety rules.

1) Listen to or read instructions carefully before attempting to do anything.

2) A lab coat should be worn in the laboratory while jackets, bags and other things
that not actually in use left in your locker.

3) Eating of food or chewing gum in the laboratory is prohibited.

4) Wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from chemicals, heated materials, or
things that might be able to shatter.

5) Notify your teacher if any spills or accidents occur.

6) After handling chemicals, always wash your hands with soap and water.

7) During lab work, keep your hands away from your face.

8) Tie back long hair.

9) Roll up loose sleeves.

10) Know the location of the fire extinguisher, fire blanket, eyewash station, and first
aid kit.

11) Keep your work area uncluttered. Take to the lab station only what is necessary.

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12) It is suggested that you wear glasses rather than contact lenses.

13) Never put anything into your mouth during a lab experiment.

14) Never “horse around” or play practical jokes in the laboratory.

15) Handel with care the balances, microscopes and other delicate and expensive
equipment. Do not weigh chemicals directly on the balance pan. Instead use a
weighing boat, smaller beaker, or some other container. Always carry a
microscope with both hands.

16) Clean up your lab area at the conclusion of the laboratory period and wash your
hands.

Glassware Safety

1) Chipped or cracked glassware should not be used. Show it to the teacher.

2) Broken glassware should not be disposed of in a classroom trash can. There is a

special glass disposal container for it.

3) When pouring liquids into glassware, make sure the container you are pouring
into is resting on a table at least a hands breadth from the edge.

4) If a piece of glassware gets broken, do not try to clean it up by yourself. Notify

the teacher.

5) Do not place hot glassware in water. Rapid cooling may make it shatter.

Chemical Safety

1) Wear protective goggles whenever heating or pouring hazardous chemicals.

2) Never mix chemicals together unless you are told to do so (and then only in the
manner specified).

3) Never taste any chemicals (you should never taste anything in the lab).

4) If you need to smell the odor of a chemical, waft the fumes toward your nose
with one hand. Do not put your nose over the container and inhale the fumes.

5) Follow the instructions of your teacher when disposing of all chemicals.

6) Wash your hands after handling hazardous chemicals

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 Laboratory Equipment

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Become familiar with basic laboratory materials, supplies, tools and equipment.
2. Use various instruments found in the lab

INTRODUCTION

In Biology laboratory, several types of equipment are required and you will identify
tools and instruments that used to explore cells and their metabolic activities. So, what
are the basic common lab equipment names and their functions?

1. Measuring tools
Graduated cylinder, serological pipette, volumetric pipette, micropipette with tip,
rubber pipette bulb, graduated beaker, graduated Erlenmeyer flask, ruler, triple beam
balance.

2. Materials for supporting or holding

Support stand, burette clamp, support ring, tripod, test-tube rack, test-tube holder,
clamp holder, tong.

3. Materials for heating

Bunsen burner, flint lighter, wing top, spot plate, alcohol lamp, wire gauze.

4. Dissection materials
Dissecting pan, scissors, probe, scalpel, dissecting needles and forceps.

5. Micro-examination materials
Compound microscope, stereoscope, slide, cover slip, hand lens, watch glass.

6. Materials for inoculating

Inoculating loop, petri dish.

7. Safety equipment
Eyewash bottle or eye bath, safety goggle, first-aid kit, fire extinguisher.

8. Other general materials

Centigrade thermometer, funnels, pipette dropper, spot plate, centrifuge.

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Main Laboratory Safety Equipment

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.

1) Lab aprons or coats are worn to protect our body from splashing chemicals and
acids. Further, it also helps us to protect our clothes while working in a lab.

2) 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.

3) The latex gloves are very useful in handling chemicals, acids, or any specimens
to prevent direct contact of these chemicals with the bare hands and skin.

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 The main instruments used in Biology Labortory

Laboratory Instruments Use Instrument

Fume hood A type of local ventilation device

that is designed to limit
exposure to hazardous or toxic
fumes, vapors or dusts.

Electronic balance Weighing machine is used to find

the mass of a specimen.

Hot plate This equipment is used to heat

materials in the lab, mostly
glassware and their contents.

Water bath Laboratory equipment made

from a container filled with
heated water. It is used to
incubate samples in water at a
constant temperature over a
long period of time.

Incubator A device used to grow

microbiological cultures.
The incubator maintains
optimal temperature
and humidity for cells growth,

Centrifuge A machine used to separate

particles from a solution
according to the size, shape,
density, The separation process
depends on the rotor speed.

Microscope The most basic equipment in the

lab, it uses light and a series of
magnifying lenses to observe a
tiny specimen.

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