COMMON

LABORATORY
APPARATUS
Module # 1
Biochemistry
A BEAKER is a common laboratory container used to hold, mix, and
heat liquids.

Characteristics:

- Usually made of glass (such as borosilicate glass) or plastic.

- Has a wide cylindrical shape with a flat bottom.
- Includes a small pouring spout for easier transfer of liquids.
- Often has graduation marks on the side, but these provide only
approximate volume measurements,not precise ones.

Common uses include:

- Mixing chemical solutions.

- Heating liquids over a hot plate or Bunsen burner (if made of heat-
resistant glass).
- Holding or collecting samples.
- Preparing reagents for experiments.
An ERLENMEYER FLASK is a laboratory flask with a flat bottom,
conical body, and narrow neck. It was invented by Emil Erlenmeyer.
Characteristics:
• Shape: Wide base that tapers to a narrow neck.
• Material: Commonly made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass,
though plastic versions are also available.
• Markings: Usually has graduation marks for approximate volume
measurements.
Common Uses
• Mixing solutions: The narrow neck allows liquids to be swirled
without spilling.
• Heating liquids: Suitable for heating over a hot plate or flame if
made from heat-resistant glass.
• Preparing cultures: Frequently used in biology for growing
microorganisms because it can be covered with a stopper or cotton
plug while allowing gas exchange.
• Temporary storage: Can be sealed with a stopper to reduce
evaporation or contamination.
A VOLUMETRIC FLASK is a laboratory flask designed to prepare
solutions with very precise volumes. It is commonly used in chemistry
for making standard solutions and accurate dilutions.

Characteristics:
• Shape: Round or pear-shaped bulb with a long, narrow neck.
• Calibration mark: Has a single etched line on the neck that indicates
the exact volume (100 mL, 250 mL, 500 mL).
• Stopper: Comes with a glass or plastic stopper to prevent
evaporation and contamination.
• Material: Usually made of borosilicate glass, though plastic versions
are available.
Common Uses:
• Preparing standard solutions of known concentration.
• Making accurate dilutions.
• Measuring one exact volume with high precision.
• Analytical chemistry and quantitative experiments.
A GRADUATED CYLINDER (also called a measuring cylinder) is a
laboratory instrument used to measure the volume of liquids
accurately. It is more precise than a beaker or an Erlenmeyer flask but
less precise than a volumetric flask.

Characteristics:
• Shape: Tall, narrow cylinder with a flat or wide base for stability.
• Graduations: Has clearly marked measurement lines along the side.
• Material: Made of glass or plastic.
• Sizes: Available in various capacities, such as 10 mL, 50 mL, 100 mL,
250 mL, and 1,000 mL.
Common Uses
• Measuring the volume of liquids accurately.
• Transferring measured liquids to other containers.
• Determining the volume of irregular solids using the water
displacement method.
A TEST TUBE is a small, cylindrical piece of laboratory glassware used
to hold, mix, or heat small amounts of substances during experiments.

Characteristics:
• Shape: Narrow cylindrical tube with a rounded bottom and an open
top.
• Material: Usually made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass or plastic.
• Sizes: Available in various lengths and diameters depending on the
experiment.
Common Uses:
• Holding small samples of liquids or solids.
• Mixing small quantities of chemicals.
• Heating substances over a flame or in a water bath (if made of
heat-resistant glass).
• Observing chemical reactions.
• Culturing microorganisms in biology.
A TEST TUBE RACK is a laboratory tool designed to hold, organize, and
support test tubes in an upright position during experiments, storage,
or drying.

Characteristics:
• Structure: A frame with evenly spaced holes on the top and
supports or pegs at the bottom to keep test tubes upright.
• Material: Commonly made of wood, plastic, or metal.
• Capacity: Available in different sizes to hold various numbers and
sizes of test tubes.
Common Uses:
• Holding test tubes securely during experiments.
• Organizing multiple test tubes for easy identification and handling.
• Supporting test tubes while they cool after heating.
• Drying washed test tubes by keeping them upright or inverted
(depending on the rack design).
A PIPETTE is a laboratory instrument used to measure and transfer
small, precise amounts of liquid from one container to another. It is
commonly used in chemistry, biology, and medical laboratories.

Characteristics:
• Shape: A narrow tube with a tapered tip for accurate liquid transfer.
• Material: Made of glass or plastic, depending on the type.
• Types: Includes transfer pipettes, graduated pipettes, volumetric
pipettes, and micropipettes for very small volumes.

Common Uses:
• Measuring and transferring precise volumes of liquids.
• Preparing solutions and dilutions.
• Adding reagents during experiments.
• Handling biological and chemical samples.
A FUNNEL is a laboratory tool used to transfer liquids or fine solids
into containers with narrow openings and to hold filter paper during
filtration.

Characteristics:
• Shape: Cone-shaped body with a narrow stem.
• Material: Commonly made of glass or plastic.
• Types: Includes standard funnels, filter funnels, and separatory
funnels for specialized laboratory procedures.

Common Uses:
• Pouring liquids into bottles, flasks, or other narrow-necked
containers without spilling.
• Transferring powdered or granular solids.
• Supporting filter paper during filtration to separate solids from
liquids.
• Reducing waste and improving accuracy when transferring
substances.
A STIRRING ROD is a laboratory tool used to mix liquids and solutions,
assist in pouring liquids, and support filtration procedures. It is commonly
made of glass and is an essential piece of laboratory equipment.

Characteristics:
• Shape: A straight, solid cylindrical rod with smooth, rounded ends.
• Material: Usually made of glass, although plastic versions are also
available.
• Size: Available in different lengths to suit various laboratory containers.
Common Uses:
• Stirring and mixing liquids or solutions.
• Assisting in pouring liquids by guiding the flow to prevent spills.
• Supporting filtration by directing liquid into a funnel.
• Breaking up precipitates or helping dissolve solid substances.
A WATCH GLASS is a small, shallow, circular piece of glass used in
the laboratory for holding, evaporating, or covering small amounts
of substances.

Characteristics:
• Shape: Thin, round, and slightly concave (curved inward).
• Material: Usually made of glass that can withstand mild heating.
• Size: Available in different diameters depending on the amount
of material being handled.
Common Uses:
• Holding small samples of solids or liquids.
• Evaporating small amounts of liquid to concentrate solutions.
• Covering beakers to reduce contamination or prevent splashing.
• Observing crystals or chemical reactions.
• Placing substances for weighing on a balance.
An EVAPORATING DISH is a laboratory container used to heat
solutions and evaporate liquids, leaving behind dissolved
substances such as salts or other solid residues.

Characteristics:
• Shape: Shallow, bowl-shaped container with a wide opening.
• Material: Usually made of porcelain, ceramic, or heat-resistant
glass.
• Design: Has a large surface area that allows liquids to evaporate
more quickly.
Common Uses:
• Evaporating solvents from solutions.
• Concentrating solutions by removing excess liquid.
• Recovering dissolved solids from liquid mixtures.
• Heating substances that require high temperatures.
• Preparing samples for further analysis.
A MORTAR AND PESTLE is a laboratory tool used to crush, grind, and
mix solid substances into fine powders. It is commonly used in
chemistry, biology, and pharmaceutical laboratories.

Characteristics:
• Mortar: A bowl-shaped container used to hold the material being
crushed.
• Pestle: A club-shaped tool used to grind and crush substances
inside the mortar.
• Material: Commonly made of porcelain, ceramic, glass, or stone.
Common Uses:
• Grinding solid chemicals into fine powders.
• Mixing powdered substances evenly.
• Breaking down crystals or solid samples.
• Preparing samples for experiments and analysis.
• Crushing tablets or other solid materials in pharmaceutical work.
A SPATULA is a laboratory tool used to scoop, transfer, and handle
small amounts of solid chemicals or samples. It is commonly used
in chemistry and biology laboratories.

Characteristics:
• Shape: A small, flat, blade-like tool with a handle.
• Material: Usually made of stainless steel, plastic, or porcelain.
• Design: May have a narrow or wide blade depending on the
purpose.
Common Uses:
• Transferring powdered chemicals from containers.
• Scooping small amounts of solid substances.
• Mixing or spreading solid samples.
• Handling crystals and other laboratory materials.
• Placing solids onto weighing paper or containers.
FORCEPS are laboratory tools used to grasp, hold, and transfer small
objects or materials that are difficult to handle with fingers or hands.

Characteristics:
• Shape: Tweezer-like tool with two arms that come together when
pressed.
• Material: Commonly made of stainless steel, plastic, or other
corrosion-resistant materials.
• Design: Available in different shapes, such as pointed, blunt, or
curved tips, depending on the task.
Common Uses:
• Picking up small solid samples or objects.
• Handling hot materials that should not be touched directly.
• Transferring specimens in biology and medical laboratories.
• Placing filter papers or other small materials.
• Handling delicate laboratory materials without contamination
An ANALYTICAL BALANCE is a highly precise laboratory instrument used to measure
the mass of substances accurately, often down to very small amounts such as
milligrams.

Characteristics:
• Precision: Capable of measuring very small differences in mass with high accuracy.
• Design: Usually has a weighing pan enclosed by a protective draft shield to prevent
air currents from affecting measurements.
• Display: Provides digital readings of the measured mass.
• Material: Commonly made with stainless steel components and durable laboratory-
grade materials.
Common Uses:
• Measuring chemicals for preparing solutions.
• Determining the exact mass of samples in experiments.
• Performing quantitative chemical analysis.
• Weighing small amounts of substances with high accuracy.
• Supporting research and quality control procedures.
A THERMOMETER is a laboratory instrument used to measure the temperature of
substances, solutions, or the environment during experiments.

Characteristics:
• Design: Usually consists of a temperature-sensitive element and a scale or digital
display for reading measurements.
• Types: Includes liquid-in-glass thermometers, digital thermometers, and electronic
temperature probes.
• Units: Temperature may be measured in degrees Celsius (°C), Fahrenheit (°F), or
Kelvin (K).
Common Uses:
• Measuring the temperature of liquids and solutions.
• Monitoring temperature changes during experiments.
• Controlling heating and cooling processes.
• Determining melting points and boiling points of substances.
• Checking temperatures in chemical and biological procedures.
A HOT PLATE is a laboratory heating device used to heat substances
and solutions safely without using an open flame.

Characteristics:
• Design: A flat heating surface where containers such as beakers and
flasks can be placed.
• Material: Usually has a heat-resistant metal or ceramic top.
• Controls: Often includes adjustable temperature settings and may
have stirring functions.
• Power Source: Operates using electricity.
Common Uses:
• Heating liquids and solutions during experiments.
• Maintaining a constant temperature for reactions.
• Warming samples that require controlled heating.
• Heating substances that may be unsafe to expose to an open flame.
• Stirring solutions when equipped with a magnetic stirrer.
A BUNSEN BURNER is a laboratory heating device that produces a controlled open flame by
mixing gas with air. It is commonly used for heating, sterilizing, and conducting experiments
that require high temperatures.

Characteristics:
• Design: Consists of a vertical metal tube connected to a gas supply, with an adjustable air
hole and gas valve.
• Flame Control: The amount of air and gas can be adjusted to change the flame
temperature.
• Fuel Source: Usually uses natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
• Flame Types: Can produce different flames, including a blue flame for hotter, more
efficient heating.
Common Uses:
• Heating liquids and substances in laboratory containers.
• Sterilizing laboratory equipment.
• Performing combustion experiments.
• Melting or softening materials that require high temperatures.
• Providing a direct heat source for chemical procedures.
A pH METER is a laboratory instrument used to measure the acidity or
alkalinity of a solution by determining its pH value.

Characteristics:
• Design: Usually consists of a digital meter connected to a glass electrode
probe.
• Measurement Range: Commonly measures pH values from 0 to 14.
• Display: Provides a digital reading of the solution’s pH level.
• Calibration: Requires calibration using standard buffer solutions to
maintain accuracy.
Common Uses:
• Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of chemical solutions.
• Monitoring pH changes during experiments.
• Testing water quality.
• Preparing solutions with specific pH levels.
• Used in chemistry, biology, environmental science, and food laboratories.
A WATER BATH is a laboratory heating device used to heat samples gently and
maintain a constant temperature by placing containers in warm water.

Characteristics:
• Design: Consists of a container filled with water and a heating system that controls
the water temperature.
• Temperature Control: Allows precise adjustment and maintenance of a desired
temperature.
• Heating Method: Transfers heat evenly through warm water instead of direct
flame or direct contact with a heating surface.
• Materials: Usually made with a metal chamber and a heat-resistant container.
Common Uses:
• Gently heating liquids and biological samples.
• Incubating cultures and chemical reactions at controlled temperatures.
• Melting substances that require gentle heating.
• Maintaining samples at a constant temperature during experiments.
• Warming solutions without causing overheating.
 End of

Module # 1

Biochemistry

Laboratory