1.4 Tools of a Biologist
A hand lens has a higher magnification than our naked eye. It consists of a convex lens.
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Its main function is to provide an enlarged image of the object.
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is an instrument used to study objects that are too small to be seen with a naked eye.
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used to observe the shape of bacteria, fungi and parasites.
There are several kinds of microscopes. The major types are:
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light microscope and
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Electron microscope
light microscope:- uses a beam of light to view specimens.There are two types
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Simple light microscope:- consists of a single lens
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Compound light microscope:- consists of two or more glass lenses
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is the most common microscope used in biology
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It consists of two lens systems (a combination of lenses)
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magnifies the image of an object up to 2000x
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monocular with a single eyepiece
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binocular with two eyepieces
Electron microscopes use
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a beam of electrons (instead of a beam of light) and
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electromagnets (instead of glass lenses)
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provide a higher magnification than light microscopes
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for observing extremely small micro-organisms such as viruses.
The microscope slides are used to support an specimens being examined under the microscope.
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The cover slips:- to cover specimens to protect from any chemical/dirty
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to protect the microscope and prevent the slide from drying
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provide better view under the microscope.
Glass slides and coverslips
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Autoclave: used to sterilize (kill microorganisms) different biological samples. sterilizes contaminated materials including culture media, and bacterial spores by exposing them to high temperature highly pressurized steam.
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Incubator: used to maintain a specific environment for culturing
Autoclave Incubator
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Petri dishes: are flat dishes with a matching cover. used with gelling culturing media, such as agar, and placed in the autoclave to sterilize it.
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Culture tubes: They are used to culture microorganisms. Used with solid (gel) culturing media or with liquid (broth)
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Flasks: is an apparatus having a flat bottom and a long narrow neck
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easy mixing of the solution
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to gently heat the content inside with
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Balance: is useful for making up solutions accurately, weighing Specimens
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Dropper: consists of a glass tube that has a small opening at one end and is attached to a vacuum rubber bulb at the other end.
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used when it is required to control the amount of solution being added to a reaction.
Flasks Balance Dropper
Tongs
- Tongs are metallic scissors-shaped laboratory instruments. It is used to Lifting or picking up hot objects such as heated crucible, beakers, dishes, or flasks.
Dissecting Tool Kit
- Dissecting Tool Kit is used to dissect animals such as frogs, fetal pigs, mice, etc.
Dissecting pan
- Dissecting pan is equipment is used as a pan on which the specimen is kept while it is being dissected to study its internal organs.
- Crucible Crucible is a small container made up of ceramic or metal which is able to withstand high temperatures, and therefore, it is generally used to melt elements.
Beaker
- Beaker is a cylindrical glass container used for making up solutions, holding hot or cold water or ice baths, and so on.
Hot Plate
- Hotplate is useful for heating solutions, making up an agar culturing medium, and so on.
- pH meter is used to measure the pH (acidity or basicity) of substances.
- Thermometer is an instrument that measures the temperature of substances.
- Forceps are used to hold or pick up small objects. They are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Spatula
- A spatula is used for mixing substances into a solution, stirring the solution, and scrapping objects. It is shaped like a spoon
- Wash Bottles Wash bottles which are mainly used to rinse various laboratory materials.
Bunsen burner or alcohol burner
- This apparatus produces a single open flame and it is used for heating and sterilization purposes in the various experiments conducted in labs.
1.4.2. Field tools
Insect nets – It is insect collecting nets which is composed of some sort of net bag made of cloth or fine mesh that is attached to a wire loop, which is attached to a wooden or metal pole.
- Fishing net is a net used for fishing. Some fishing nets are also called fish traps. Fishing nets are usually meshes formed by tying a relatively thin thread.
1. A microscope uses a beam of light and consists of a single lens is__
A. compound light microscope B. binocular microscope
C. Simple light microscope D. monocular microscope
2. Which Lab. Tools of biologist is used to maintain a specific environment for culturing?
A. Hand Lens B. Autoclave
C. Incubator D. Flasks
3. An instrument that measures the temperature of substances is_______.
A. pH meter B. Forceps
C. Thermometer D. Spatula
4. Which tools of biologist is used to sterilize (kill microorganisms) different biological samples?
A. petri dish
B. Autoclave
C. Incubator
D. Flasks
5. Which tools of biologist is used when it is required to control the amount of solution being added to a reaction?
A. petri dish
B. dropper
C. Incubator
D. Flasks
Answer
1. C 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. B