Biological safety cabinets are used in the laboratory to protect the person conducting the experiment, the work materials and the lab environment from exposure to infectious splashes and aerosols that may result from working with materials that contain infectious agents. These materials include diagnostic specimens, cultures and stocks. These infectious materials could potentially be released into the environment through such laboratory activities as inoculated cell culture flasks with a pipette, stirring, pouring or dropping liquid into another liquid. The person conducting the experiment might not even be aware that such materials have been released and may inhale them or cross-contaminate other surfaces with the infected material. The biological safety cabinets help reduce such infection by containing the infectious material. The cabinets have openings through which the operator can reach to perform the experiment, while an exhaust fan carries air away from the work surface into an exhaust duct and to the outside of the building.
The microscope is used to observe minute objects such as plant and animal cells and bacteria. The microscope allows the human eye to observe things that would otherwise be invisible. The microscope is also used in medical laboratories to carry out blood tests, stool tests and other related tests. The microscope is made up of three parts: the head, which contains the optical parts; the base of the microscope, which supports it; and the arm, which connects to the base and is also used to carry the microscope.
The pH meter is used to measure whether a substance is acidic, basic or neutral. The pH meter is basically a scale ranging from 0 to 14. When the reading of the pH meter is 7, the solution is neutral. An example of a neutral solution is distilled water. A pH less than 7 is acidic. A pH greater than 7 is basic. The typical design of a pH meter is a glass electrode that is connected to an electronic meter that measures the pH by monitoring the activity of hydrogen ions and displays the results digitally on an electric meter.
The Bunsen burner is used for sterilization and heating. The Bunsen burner produces a stream of natural flammable gas like methane or liquefied petroleum gas like butane, propane or a mixture of the two. The burner is often placed on a heatproof mat to protect the lab bench surface.