BIOL 1406 Mini-Lab Practical Study Sheet
What is a lab practical? Typically, a lab practical is different from a lecture exam in that students are expected to
demonstrate specific lab skills they have developed, not just knowledge or understanding. As such, the study tips
and information in this document will help you prepare to be assessed (tested) to determine your skill development
in microscopy basics and measurement and lab equipment basics.
Format of the practical: Each four students will enter two at a time through each door (so 4 students enter at the
same time, but through different doors) and work their way through the stations to answer the questions. You will
begin with the hands-on, then move to the questions. There is a time limit for each question. When finished, you
leave through the same door you entered, and I’m trusting you not to tell other students what your questions were
(note that questions may change between Tuesday and Thursday, but you still are NOT allowed to discuss the
questions with classmates).
Group 1A, 1B, & 1C will take their practical on TUESDAY, October 10. Students in group 2 do not need to
attend lab on Monday at all. (Everyone still needs to attend lecture!)
Group 2A, 2B, & 2C will take their practical on THURSDAY, October 12. Students in groups 1 do not need
to attend lab on Thursday at all. (Everyone still needs to attend lecture!)
Microscopy basics skills assessment:
1. A microscope with “storage” settings in place (stage lowered, scanning lens in place) will be set up at the first
station when you enter. Lenses will already be clean and plugged in, but otherwise in the same condition as
when you take it out of the cabinet.
2. You will need to pick up a provided slide and follow the proper microscopy procedures you learned in Lab 2 and
practiced in Lab 4 to set up the microscope and focus on the cells on the slide.
3. Make sure you know how to adjust the light (both brightness and iris diaphragm) as well as the position in the
Field of View (FOV) and how to change objectives.
4. You will need to get the cells in focus and arranged to maximize ability to see the cell structures under the 40x
objective, then leave the slide in place for the instructor to check before the next student comes in.
Micropipette basics skills assessment:
1. A micropipette, tips and microtubes (containers to hold small amounts of solution) and blue dye solution will be
provided at the 2nd station.
2. You will be directed to set the micropipette to a specific volume and properly transfer that volume into the
provided tubes to demonstrate your ability to set and use a micropipette.
3. You will leave your finished tube for the instructor to check before the next student comes in.
Other things to review:
• Microscope parts, their functions & proper cleaning
• Measuring equipment names, what they look like & how to use them (types of pipettes & graduated cylinders)
• Name, what they look like & the function of other lab equipment such as spectrophotometer, pi-pumps, beakers,
Erlenmeyer flasks, safety glasses, slides, cover slips, test tubes and cuvettes (these are only for spectrophotometer)
• Review old lab quizzes as well.