INSTRUMENTATION
MAGNIFICATION, RESOLUTION
AND RESOLVING POWER
Magnification is making things appear
bigger.
Resolution is the ability to distinguish
between two objects or how clear the
image will be.
Resolving power is how different kinds of
microscopes can show us different
amounts of detail
Cedar Wood Oil and Xylol for OI
The correct immersion oil for an objective
lens has to be used to ensure that the
refractive indices are correctly matched.
[Link]
Electron Microscope
This uses a beam of electrons, rather than
electromagnetic radiation, to "illuminate"
the specimen.
Electrons behave like waves and can
easily be produced (using a hot
wire), focused (using electromagnets) and
detected (using a phosphor screen or
photographic film).
Fluorescence Microscope
Phase Contrast Microscope
Inverted Microscope
Darkfield Microscopy
Hot Air Oven
Autoclave
Incubator
Laminar Flow
Hood
Biorefrigerator
Gas Pak
Colony Counter
Desiccator Chamber
Glass Slide
Candle Jar and Gas Pak
Wire Basket
Inoculating Loop and Needle
Petridish
Coplin Jar
Bunsen Burner
Waterbath
Dilution Bottles
Dropping Bottle
Petridish can
Pipette Can
Sterilization
Sterilization is the killing or removal of all
microorganisms, including bacterial
spores which are highly resistant.
Sterilization is an absolute term, i.e. the
article must be sterile meaning the
absence of all microorganisms.
STERILIZATION BY HEAT
Heat is most effective and a rapid method
of sterilization and disinfection. Excessive
heat acts by coagulation of cell proteins.
Less heat interferes metabolic reactions.
Sterilization occurs by heating above 100C
which ensure lolling of bacterial spores.
Sterilization by hot air in hot air oven and
sterilization by autoclaving are the two most
common method used in the laboratory.
Types of Heat
A. Sterilization by moist heat
B. Sterilization by dry heat
Sterilization by Moist Heat
Moist heat acts by denaturation and
coagulation of protein, breakage of DNA
strands, and loss of functional integrity of
cell membrane.
Sterilization above 100C:
Autoclaving
Autoclave
Autoclaving is one of the most common methods of
sterilization.
Principle: In this method sterilization is done by steam under
pressure. Steaming at temperature higher than 100C is used
in autoclaving. The temperature of boiling depends on the
surrounding atmospheric pressure. A higher temperature of
steaming is obtained by employing a higher pressure. When
the autoclave is closed and made air-tight, and water starts
boiling, the inside pressures increases and now the water boils
above 100C.
At 15 psi pressure, 121C temperatures is obtained. This is
kept for 15 minutes for sterilization to kill spores. It works like a
pressure cooker.
How to use the autoclave
Place materials inside
Close the lid. Leave stopcock open
Set the safety valve at the desired pressure
Heat the autoclave. Air is forced out and eventually steam
ensures out through the tap
close the tap. The inside pressure now rises until it reaches
the set level (i.e. 15 Win), when the safety valve opens and
the excess steam escapes
Keep it for 15 minutes (holding time),
Stop heating
Cool the autoclave below 100C,
Open the stopcock slowly to allow air to enter the autoclave.
Sterilization by Dry Heat
Mechanisms.(1) Protein denaturation, (2)
Oxidative damage, (3) Toxic effect of
elevated electrolyte (in absence of water).
Sterilization by Dry Heat
[Link]. Wire loops used in microbiology
laboratory are sterilized by heating to 'red' in
bunsen burner or spirit lamp flame. Temperature
is above 100C. It leads to sterilization.
[Link] article is passed through flame
without allowing it to become red hot, e.g. scalpel.
Temperature is not high to cause sterilization.
[Link]
Hot Air Oven (Sterilizer)
It Is one of the most common method
used for sterilization. Glass wares, swab
sticks, all-glass syringes, powder and oily
substances are sterilized in hot air oven.
For sterilization, a temperature of 160C is
maintained (holding) for one hour. Spores
are killed at this temperature. It leads to
sterilization.
Hot Air Oven
An apparatus with double metallic walls and a
door. There is an air space between these
walls. The apparatus is heated by electricity or
gas at the bottom. On heating, the air at the
bottom becomes hot and passes between the
two walls from below upwards, and then
passes in the inner chamber through the holes
on Me top of the apparatus. A thermostat is
fitted to maintain a constant temperature of
160C.