SBL1023

TECHNIQUE IN BIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY

LAB REPORT 1 : LABORATORY SAFETY AND INSTRUMENTATION

NAMA RABIATUL ADAWIA BINTI MANI

NO. MATRIK E20151012747
KUMPULAN D
Title :

Laboratory Safety And Instrumentation

Introduction :

Every laboratories have significant risks, and to prevent any laboratory accidents to
happen,everyone should aware about safety precautions in the laboratory.Examples of risk factors
include corrosive and toxic chemicals.

A pH Meter is a scientific instrument that measures the hydrogen-ion concentration (or pH) in a
solution, indicating its acidity or alkalinity.It usually has a glass electrode plus a calomel reference
electrode, or a combination electrode.

A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye.There are
many types of microscopes. The most common is the optical microscope, which uses light to image
the sample.

Objective:

1. To be aware of the need to take proper precautions when working in a laboratory

2. To have knowledge on the proper technique in using some of commonly used equipment in
the laboratory

Methods:

Calibration of pH meter

1. The protective end cover was removed from the electrode.

2. The electrode was cleaned with distilled water and any excess water was cleaned away.
3. The Setup button on pH meter was pressed for a few times until the screen display the set of
pH buffer that want to be calibrated (pH 4, 7, 10).
4. Standardize button was pressed. Wait for a signal on the screen to place electrode into the
first buffer (pH 4).
5. The meter recognised the buffer and display the first value. Then, the display indicates either
good electrode "OK" or electrode error "Error".
6. After "OK" is displayed, the electrode was took out from the buffer solution and rinsed again
with distilled water.
7. Then standardize button was pressed. A signal on the screen will show up to place electrode
into the second buffer (pH 7). The same procedure was repeated until all buffer have been
standardized
8. Once the calibration is done,the pH for solution with label x, y, z were measured.
Micropipette

1. Desire volume was set by turning the centrally located rings clockwise to increase volume or
counter clockwise to decrease volume.
2. Sterile tip was loaded from the tip box.Tip box was always closed to maintain sterility.
3. The sample was loaded. The plunge stopped at two different positions when it depressed. The
plunger was pushed down slowly to the point of first resistance: this is the load volume.
4. While holding the plunger at the load volume set point,the tip was dipped into solution so that
it is immersed just enough to cover the end (3–4mm).
5. The plunger slowly realeased to draw up the liquid making sure to keep the tip immersed.
6. Deliver the sample. The second stopping point can be found when the plunger is depressed
beyond the initial resistance until it is in contact with the body of the pipette. This second
stopping point is used for the complete discharging of solutions from the plastic tip.Place the
tip into the receiving vessel.The plunger was pressed all the way to the bottom to expel all the
liquid.
7. The discharge slider on the back of the grip was pressed to discharge the tip.

Microscope

1. A prepared slide was observed under the microscope using different magnification.
2. The low power (4x) on the microscope was used to locate the specimen on the prepared slide.
3. After the specimen centered,the power was switced to high.
4. Procedure was repeated using higher magnifications up to 100x magnification.
Data :

Calibration of pH meter

Buffer pH
pH7 3.41
pH7 6.62
pH7 8.88

Solution pH
x 5.85
y 6.72
z 9.62

Microscope

Magnification :4X

Questions:
Calibration of pH meter

1. In your opinion, why it is necessary for all buffer solution to be at the same temperature during
calibration?

Temperature of the solution affect it’s pH.An increase in any solutions’ temperature will cause an
increase in the number of ions in solution due to the dissociation of molecules.As pH is a measure
of the hydrogen ion concentration, a change in the temperature of a solution definitely will cause
change in pH.

Micropipette

1. Why it is encourage to always select the SMALLEST size pipette that will handle the volume
you wish to move?

Choosing the smallest size pipet to handle the volume of liquid to move is important to achieve
the greatest accuracy. Accuracy decreases as you use unnecessarily large pipets for small
volumes.

2. Why the liquids from the pipette need to be release slowly, especially with large volume
pipettes?

So that there will be no droplets remain in the tip and no liquid splattered on the walls.

3. Why the pipette cannot be point up?

Pointing the pipette up may destroy the pipette as the liquid run down into the pipette.