University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
Activity 1
FAMILIARIZATION OF COMMON LABORATORY APPARATUS
I.
Introduction
Laboratory apparatus are essentials used for conducting experiments in research and
educational laboratories. They are used to measure, observe and consolidate data with much
required accuracy. The lab apparatus can be broadly classified into laboratory instruments and
glassware. Laboratory instruments are generally used for testing, sampling and gathering data,
and laboratory glassware is used for conducting experiments in a desired manner with utmost
safety.
Common laboratory apparatus and their usage:
Name
Usage
1. Beaker
Used to hold and heat liquids.
Multipurpose and essential in the lab.
2. Bottle
Bottles can be used for storage, for mixing
and for displaying.
3. Bunsen Burner
Bunsen burners are used for heating and
exposing items to flame. They have many
more uses than a hot plate, but do not
replace a hot plate.
4. Buret
The buret is used in titrations to measure
precisely how much liquid is used.
Photo
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University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
5. Centrifuge
The centrifuge is used to spin test tubes at
a high speed, allowing the substances
within to separate.
6. Compound
microscope
The compound microscope is used to
magnify a small object or to magnify the
fine details of a larger object in order to
examine minute specimens that cannot be
seen by the naked eye.
7. Crucible
Crucibles are used to heat small quantities
to very high temperatures.
8. Dropper
Used for moving small amounts of liquid
from place to place. They are usually
made of plastic and are disposable.
9. Electronic
analytical
balance
The electronic analytical balance is a
device for the accurate measurement of
weight.
10. Erlenmeyer
Flask
The Erlenmeyer Flask is used to heat and
store liquids. The advantage to the
Erlenmeyer Flask is that the bottom is
wider than the top so it will heat quicker
because of the greater surface area
exposed to the heat.
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University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
11. Evaporating
Dish
The Evaporating Dish is used to heat and
evaporate liquids.
12. Florence Flask
The Florence Flask is used for heating
substances that need to be heated evenly.
The bulbed bottom allows the heat to
distribute through the liquid more evenly.
The Florence Flask is mostly used in
distillation experiments.
13. Funnel
The Funnel is a piece of equipment that is
used in the lab but is not confined to the
lab. The funnel can be used to target
liquids into any container so they will not
be lost or spilled.
14. Graduated
Cylinder
The graduated cylinder is used for
determining the volume of the liquid. The
liquid can be estimated to an accuracy of
almost .01 ml.
15. Hot plates
It is used as source of heat when the
procedure requires controlled heating, and
open flame is not desired.
16. Iron Stand and
Iron ring
They are used to hold items being heated
by bunsen burners or other items.
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University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
17. Microspatula
The Microspatula, commonly called a
spatula, is used for moving small amounts
of solid from place to place.
18. Micropipet
Micropipet A pipette designed for the
measurement of very small volumes
19. Mortar and
Pestle
The Mortar and Pestle are used to crush
solids into powders for experiments,
usually to better dissolve the solids.
20. Rubber aspirator
A rubber aspirator sucks up liquid into the
pipette.
21. Pipet/pipette
Are used to measure and transfer liquid
accurately. There are two types of
pipettes, volumetric and serological.
22. Stir Rod
The stir rods are used to stir things. They
are usually made of glass. Stir Rods are
very useful in the lab setting.
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University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
23. Stopper
Stoppers come in many different sizes.
The sizes are from 0 to 8. Stoppers can
have holes for thermometers and for other
probes that may be used.
24. Test tube Brush
The test tube brush is used to easily clean
the inside of a test tube.
25. Test tube Holder
The holder is used to hold test tubes when
they are hot and untouchable.
26. Test tube Rack
The test-tube rack is used to hold test
tubes while reactions happen in them or
while they are not needed.
27. Thermometer
The thermometer is used to take
temperature of solids, liquids, and gases.
They are usually in oC, but can also be in
o
F
28. Tongs
Tongs are used to hold many different
things such as flasks, crucibles, and
evaporating dishes when they are hot.
29. Volumetric
Flask
The Volumetric flask is used to measure
one specific volume. They are mostly
used in mixing solutions where a one liter
or one half a liter is needed.
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University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
30. Water bath
31. Watch Glass
32. Wire Gauze
II.
The water bath is a device used for
regulating the temperature of substances
subjected to heat. The vessel is
surrounded by another vessel containing
water which can be kept at a desired
temperature.
The watch glass is used to hold solids
when being weighed or transported. They
should never be heated.
The wire gauze is used to hold the
container while heating. Additionally wire
gauge also assist in directing the flame
evenly on the base of the container
Objective
At the end of the activity, the students should be able to:
1. Identify the equipment used in laboratory activities.
2. Describe the use of the laboratory apparatus.
III.
Procedure
1. Identify and draw the common laboratory apparatus.
2. Classify according to use; holding, measuring, heating, cleaning, mixing, transferring.
An apparatus may have 1 or more usage
Page 6 of 11
University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
Activity 1
FAMILIARIZATION OF COMMON LABORATORY APPARATUS
Name:
ID Number:
I.
______________________________
______________________________
Group Number:
______
Drawing
Apparatus
Drawing
Usage
1. Beaker
2. Bottle
3. Bunsen Burner
4. Buret
5. Centrifuge
6. Compound
microscope
7. Crucible
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University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
8. Dropper
9. Electronic
analytical
balance
10. Erlenmeyer
Flask
11. Evaporating
Dish
12. Florence Flask
13. Funnel
14. Graduated
Cylinder
15. Hot plates
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University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
16. Iron stand and
Iron ring
17. Microspatula
18. Micropipet
19. Mortar and
Pestle
20. Rubber aspirator
21. Pipet/pipette
22. Stir Rod
23. Stopper
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University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
24. Test tube Brush
25. Test tube Holder
26. Test tube Rack
27. Thermometer
28. Tongs
29. Volumetric
Flask
30. Water bath
Page 10 of 11
University of Tabuk
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Technology Laboratory Skills
Laboratory Manual
31. Watch Glass
32. Wire Gauze
II.
Study Questions
1. What is importance of laboratory apparatus familiarization?
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