CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY

Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus

Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

LEADER DATE

MEMBERS

SECTION GROUP

EQUIPMENT AND APPARATUS BACTERIOLOGY LABORATORY

I. OBJECTIVE:
Know the various glassware and equipment and their uses in a Bacteriology laboratory.

II. MATERIALS:

1. GLASSWARES:
a. Test tubes e. Pipettes/Serologic/
b. screw-capped tubes volumetric
centrifuge tube f. tips
c. Petri Dishes (cover and g. Beaker
bottom dish) h. graduated cylinder
d. Erlenmeyer/ volumetric i. funnel
Flasks j. watch glass
k. slides

2. OTHER EQUIPMENTS:
a. Inoculating loop: inoculating needle/wire made of platinum or nichrome
b. Racks: staining rack, slant rack
c. Burner
d. Tripod
e. wire gauze
f. Weighing balance (rough balance/sartorius): spatula

3. INSTRUMENTS
a. Microscope
The head, arm, and base make up the major three components of a microscope's
construction.

Head: The eyepiece lens, objective lens, and condenser lens are among the optical
parts of the microscope that are housed in the head. The lens that the user uses to
CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY
Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus
Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

view the specimen is called the eyepiece lens. The lens that is closest to the
specimen is called the objective lens, and it is this lens that enlarges the image.
The specimen is illuminated by the condenser lens.
Arm: The arm supports the microscope and joins the head to the base.

Base: The base, which is the component of the microscope that weighs the most,
offers stability. The light source that illuminates the specimen is also included
within it.

The use of a microscope:

Place the specimen there and use the stage clips to hold it in place.
Lower the objective lens until it is nearly but not quite in contact with the
specimen.
By using the coarse and fine focus knobs, you can concentrate the image.
To regulate the amount of light that enters the specimen, adjust the iris diaphragm.
Examine the specimen by looking through the eyepiece lens.

Reference
Microscope | Types, Parts, History, Diagram, & Facts:
https://www.britannica.com/technology

b. Incubator
Structure of an Incubator:

Outer Shell: To provide insulation and protection, the incubator's exterior shell is
normally made of a sturdy material.
Temperature are in charge of: To manage the inside temperature, most incubators
have a thermostat or digital temperature controller.
Humidity Control: To keep the proper amount of humidity, some incubators have
a water reservoir or humidity control system.
Ventilation: Effective ventilation guarantees a constant flow of fresh air and
prevents carbon dioxide buildup.
Incubators frequently come with racks or trays to contain eggs, culture plates, or
other materials that are being incubated.
Users may keep an eye on the contents without opening the incubator thanks to an
observation window or door.
Displays for temperature and humidity: Incubators may have digital displays for
temperature and relative humidity.

Use of an Incubator:

Egg Incubation: To hatch the eggs of avian species, reptile species, or other
oviparous species, incubators are frequently employed. To replicate the conditions
CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY
Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus
Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

needed for successful incubation, the temperature and humidity levels are
carefully regulated.
Microbiology: For the cultivation of bacteria, fungus, and other microorganisms,
incubators are essential in microbiology labs. To encourage microbial
development, specific temperature and humidity settings are changed.

Tissue Culture: To provide a stable and controlled environment for the growth of
cells, incubators are employed in cell culture activities. In scientific and medical
research, this is essential. Plant Growth: To imitate precise environmental
conditions for tests on plant growth and development, some plant scientists utilize
plant growth incubators.

References:

Li, H., & Wu, G. (2015). Incubators: A Novel Framework for Distributed Medical
Imaging. In Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence (pp. 273-280).
Springer.

Tortora, G. J., Funke, B. R., & Case, C. L. (2013). Microbiology: An Introduction.

Pearson.

Dey, A., Das, P. B., Bandyopadhyay, S., & Singha, S. S. (2017). A review on
plant tissue culture, molecular markers, and marker-assisted breeding in forest
trees with an example of Acacia mangium: A review. Annals of Forest Research,
60(1), 23-38.

c. Biosafety cabinet type 2

d. Incinerator
e. Autoclave
An autoclave is a machine that uses high-pressure steam to sterilize tools and
other things. Its usual structure comprises of a cylindrical chamber that can be
tightly sealed and is frequently constructed of stainless steel. A heating element
for producing steam, a pressure control system, and security features like pressure
relief valves are all included in the autoclave. To successfully destroy
microorganisms, such as bacteria and spores, an autoclave is used by placing the
things to be sterilized inside the chamber, sealing it, and then increasing the
temperature and pressure

f. Centrifuge
A centrifuge is a scientific tool used to divide liquid or suspension components
according to their density. It functions according to the centrifugal force theory,
which causes denser particles to flow away from the rotational axis. In many
CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY
Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus
Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

scientific and medical disciplines, centrifuges are an essential instrument. They

include the following essential elements:

Rotor: The rotor is the rotating component where samples are placed. It can
accommodate different types of tubes or containers depending on the application.

Motor: The motor provides the necessary rotational force to spin the rotor at high
speeds, typically measured in revolutions per minute (RPM).

Control Panel: This interface allows the user to set the speed, time, and other
operational parameters of the centrifuge.

Safety Features: Centrifuges often have safety features, such as lid locks and
imbalance detection, to ensure safe operation.

Rotor: The revolving element on which samples are placed is called a rotor.
Depending on the application, several tubes or containers can fit within.
Motor: The motor generates the required rotational force to spin the rotor at high
revolutions per minute (RPM) rates.
The operator can adjust the centrifuge's speed, timer, and other operating
parameters via the control panel interface.
Centrifuges frequently come equipped with safety features like lid locks and
imbalance detection to ensure secure operation.

Centrifuges are used in various applications, including:

Biomedical Research: In clinical settings, centrifuges are essential for separating

blood components like plasma and cells. They are employed in molecular biology
to pellet proteins, RNA, or DNA, enabling diverse investigations like protein
purification and DNA extraction.
Centrifuges are used in chemistry labs to separate materials such as precipitates
and suspensions.
Centrifuges are helpful in the analysis of soil, water, and sediment samples in
environmental science.
Centrifuges are used in industrial processes to separate liquids from solids or to
treat products in sectors like food and beverage.
References:

III. PROCEDURE:
CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY
Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus
Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

Each of the above materials be shown accompanied by a brief discussion on its structure
and use.

A. GLASSWARES
a. Test Tubes
Structure: a finger-like length of glass or clear plastic tubing, open at the top and
closed at the bottom.
Use: used by chemists to hold, mix, or heat small quantities of solid or liquid
chemicals, especially for qualitative experiments and assays.

b. Screw-capped tubes centrifuge tube

Structure: conical bottoms
Use: used for the collection, storage, and transportation of small amounts of
liquid or solid samples.

c. Petri Dishes (Cover and Bottom Dish)

Structure: shallow cylindrical containers with fitted lids. The bottom
dish/container is a larger part that holds the medium and provides a stable base for
the plate. It is usually flat with a slightly ridged rim to avoid spillage of agar
medium.
The lid or the cover is shallow and used to cover the dish so that the agar plate is
protected from potential contaminations.
Use: The dish or the bottom is a shallow container where liquified agar media is
poured and solidified. The Cover/lid is the smaller part of the Petri plate that fits
on the top of the bottom dish. It protects the medium from contamination and
moisture loss.

d. Erlenmeyer/Volumetric Flask
Structure: narrow openings, a conical shape and a wide flat bottom.
Use: used for mixing, transporting, reacting, and filtration but not for accurate
measurements.

e. Pipettes/Serologic Volumetric
Structure: ultrasonically welded 3 piece construction, include a plug that helps
prevent contamination and are compatible with most pipet aids.
Use: to transfer a desired volume of solution from one receptacle to another
container.

f. Tips
Structure: Tips are mostly made of polypropylene. The disposable tip in a
positive displacement micropipette is a microsyringe composed of a capillary and
a piston (movable inner part) which directly displaces the liquid.
CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY
Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus
Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

Use: are disposable, autoclavable attachments for the uptake and dispensing of
liquids using a pipette.

g. Beaker
Structure:
-A beaker is a container that has a flat bottom.
-It is a cylindrical glass vessel.
Use:
-The use of beakers in a microbiology laboratory is holding or storing liquids.
- It is a multi- purpose piece of equipment used for containing a chemical
reaction, measuring liquids, heating them over a Bunsen burner's flame or
collecting them in a titration experiment.

h. graduated cylinder
Structure:
-A traditional graduated cylinder is usually narrow and tall so as to increase the
accuracy and precision of volume measurement. It has a plastic or glass base
(stand, foot, support) and a "spout" for easy pouring of the measured liquid. An
additional version is wide and low.
Use:
-A graduated cylinder, or measuring cylinder, is used mainly in laboratories
requiring moderately precise volume measurements. It is narrow and cylindrical
with markings for volume measurement. Along with the volume of liquid, it is
also indirectly used to measure the mass of a solid.

i. funnel
Structure:
-Powder funnels have a short and wide neck for fast pouring of powders.
Separatory funnels are pear-shaped, have a cap and a short neck, with a stopcock
for the even pouring of fluids.
-Laboratory funnels are made from glass, plastic (typically HDPE) or
occasionally metal.
Use:
-Funnels and filtration products are familiar items in the laboratory used for
filtering, filling, decanting or transferring liquids or powders from one vessel to
another.

j. watch glass
Structure:
-A watch glass is a circular concave piece of glass
Use:
- used in laboratories as a surface to evaporate liquids, to weighed solids , for
heating substances or powders and as a cover for a beakers to prevent dust or any
CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY
Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus
Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

other particles entering the beaker

k. slides
Structure:
-A microscope slide is a thin flat piece of glass, typically 75 by 26 mm (3 by 1
inches) and about 1 mm thick,
Use:
-used to hold specimens for examination under a microscope. Typically, the
specimen is mounted on the slide, and then both are inserted together in the
microscope for viewing.

B. OTHER EQUIPMENTS

1. Inoculating loop: inoculating needle/wire made of platinum or

nichrome
● Structure
- Inoculating loop consists of a handle and a loop, it can also
consist of a needle instead of a loop.
- Handle is used for the grip to handle and manipulate the
loop.
- Loop is composed of a small circular hole at the tip of the
inoculating loop. It is the part of the loop that is in contact
with the culture media.
● Use
- The use of inoculating loop is to transfer the
microorganism using streak technique or inoculate a media.
- It also prevents the risk of contamination in the media.

2. Racks: staining rack, slant rack

● Structure
- Staining rack is composed of frame like structure to hold
the slide.
- Common racks are made up of wood.
● Use
- Staining racks are used in hematology, histology,
microbiology and other laboratory sections in which the
specimen on the slides need to be stained and rinsed
without being contaminated.
- Staining rack often helps the Medical technologist if there’s
a need to stain multiple slides without affecting the
integrity of the sample specimen.
CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY
Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus
Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

3. Burner
● Structure
- Example of a burner is the bunsen burner. Bunsen burner is
a metal that has a gas inlet where it is connected to a gas
source by the use of a tube.
- It also has a valve where you can adjust the flame intensity.
● Use
- Burners are used in laboratories for heating or sterilization
of chemical experiments.

4. Tripod
● Structure
- Tripod is composed of legs that are resistant to heat,
provide stability and elevate the beaker from a higher level.
- It also has a circular surface where the beaker or flasks are
placed.
● Use
- Tripod is a material where it can be used to support
glasswares like beaker and flasks when heating the
chemicals.
- It provides stability for the container to stand above the
bunsen burner, allowing the heat to pass underneath.
5. Wire Gauze
● Structure
Each wire is crossed by a wave-like pattern of warp and weft threads that go underneath and over
the top of it repeatedly.

Use:
provides an equal heat distribution and a solid, heat-resistant surface for containers including
flasks, beakers, and test tubes.

6. Weighing Balance
● Structure
- An analytical balance's measurement pan (0.1 mg or higher) is enclosed in a
transparent container with doors that prevent outside effects.

Use: Determine the mass of solids, liquids, powders, and granular materials using quantitative
chemical analysis.

C. INSTRUMENTS
CLINICAL BACTERIOLOGY
Topic: Laboratory equipment and apparatus
Activity No.: 2.0
Laboratory Proctor: Melford L. Teodoro, RMT

1. Biosafety Cabinet type 2

● Structure: Sinks for washing hands, eyewash stations for mishaps, and
automatically closing, lockable doors are all necessary design elements for BSL-2
facilities.
● Use : utilised to research poisons or pathogenic substances with a moderate risk
of being unintentionally ingested, breathed, or exposed to skin

2. Incinerator
● Structure: consists of two combustion chambers, PCC and SCC, both of which are built
of 3 mm thick mild steel. The interior of these chambers is thermally insulated by 2.5 cm
ceramic fibre, and 6.5 cm of castable cement lines the interior.
● Use: the preferred technique for handling significant amounts of infectious trash, animal
corpses, and contaminated bedding materials.

IV. SEARCH AND LABEL:

Using the world wide web, search and draw at least two different kinds of apparatus and
equipment that is shown in the lecture part of our laboratory session. Label and indicate
their use and function in the laboratory setting.