8

Biotechnology
Quarter 1B:
Biotechniques
Module I:
Laboratory Apparatus/Equipment
and Uses
Week 6
Welcome to the STE Electives-Biotechnology Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) my dear learner!

This module will serve as your guide in mastering the most essential learning competencies and
be technologically, environmentally, and scientifically literate. The activities prepared will give you
opportunity for independent practice and learning. Furthermore, you will enjoy the fun in
performing the tasks included in this self-learning kit.

Relax and enjoy another dimension of learning.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

This will give you an idea of the skills or

competencies you are expected to learn in the
What I Need to Know
module.

This part includes an activity that aims to check

what you already know about the lesson to take. If
What I Know
you get all the answers correct (100%), you may
decide to skip this module.

This is a brief drill or review to help you link the

current lesson with the previous one.
What’s In

In this portion, the new lesson will be introduced to

you in various ways such as a story, a song, a
What’s New poem, a problem opener, an activity or a situation.

This section provides a brief discussion of the

lesson. This aims to help you discover and
What is It understand new concepts and skills.

This comprises activities for independent practice

to solidify your understanding and skills of the
What’s More topic. You may check the answers to the exercises
using the Answer Key at the end of the module.

This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to process what
What I Have Learned you learned from the lesson.

This section provides an activity which will help

you transfer your new knowledge or skill into real
What I Can Do
life situations or concerns.

This is a task which aims to evaluate your level of

mastery in achieving the learning competency.

2
 Assessment

In this portion, another activity will be given to you

to enrich your knowledge or skill of the lesson
Additional Activities learned. This also tends retention of learned
concepts.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the module. Use
a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities included in
the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not hesitate to consult
your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep
understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

What I Need to Know

The laboratory equipment is a technical field, which offer opportunity in
learning science through hands-on experience. Only with the help of laboratory
equipment, experiments, process controls and quality assurance are made possible.
Electronic measuring instruments or vacuum apparatuses are the most important
working materials in the field of laboratory equipment. Without the help of these
important devices, the scientific field of laboratory equipment could not exist.

In this module, you will be able to familiarized and understand the uses of Laboratory
apparatus and equipment used in Biotechnology and the proper way of proper handling
some laboratory apparatus and equipment.

In this module, it includes:

● Lesson 2 - Proper Handling and care of some Laboratory Apparatus and
Equipment

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Demonstrate understanding of proper handling and care of some of the
laboratory apparatus and equipment

3
 Lesson Proper Handling of Laboratory Apparatus and
2 Equipment used in Biotechnology

There are some important reminders on how to use the laboratory apparatus correctly.
It’s right to know the proper handling of these apparatus and equipment’s for the
handlers to be safe as well as to avoid accident while using in the laboratory.

What’s In

Compare the two pictures. Write your observation below the picture.

Source:https://www.google.com/search?q=no+gloves+and+goggles+inside+lab&tbm=isch

4
 What’s New

Analyze the situation below. Choose the letter of the best answer and write your reason
on the box provided on your answer sheet.

1. If laboratory fire erupts, immediately____________________

a. notify your teacher
b. open the window
c. run for the fire extinguisher
d. throw water on fire

Reason for your answer

2.If you do not understand a direction or part of a lab procedure you should
a. skip it and go on the next part
b. try several methods until something works
c. ask your teacher before proceeding
d. Figure it out

Reason for your answer

5
 What Is It

Working safely with hazardous chemicals requires proper use of laboratory equipment.
Maintenance and regular inspection of laboratory equipment are essential parts of this
activity. Many of the accidents that occur in the laboratory can be attributed to improper
use or maintenance of laboratory equipment. This lesson will discuss prudent practices
for handling equipment used frequently in laboratories.

Basic rules in using laboratory and the apparatus

Source: https://www.wbdg.org/resources/security-and-safety-laboratories

1. Know locations of laboratory safety showers, eyewash stations,

and fire extinguishers. The safety equipment may be located in the
hallway near the laboratory entrance. Know emergency exit routes.
2. Avoid skin and eye contact with all chemicals.
3. Minimize all chemical exposures.
4. No horseplay will be tolerated.
5. Assume that all chemicals of unknown toxicity are highly toxic.
6. Post warning signs when unusual hazards, hazardous materials,
hazardous equipment, or other special conditions are present.
7. Avoid distracting or startling persons working in the laboratory.
8. Use equipment only for its designated purpose.
9. Combine reagents in their appropriate order, such as adding acid to
water.
10. Avoid adding solids to hot liquids.
11. Never leave containers of chemicals open.

6
 12. All containers must have appropriate labels. Unlabeled chemicals
should never be used.
13. Do not taste or intentionally sniff chemicals.
14. Never consume and/or store food or beverages or apply cosmetics in
areas where hazardous chemicals are used or stored.
15. Do not use mouth suction for pipetting or starting a siphon.
16. Wash exposed areas of the skin prior to leaving the laboratory.
17. Long hair and loose clothing must be pulled back and secured from
entanglement or potential capture.
18. No contact lenses should be worn around hazardous chemicals – even
when wearing safety glasses.
19. Laboratory coats should not be stored in offices or break rooms as this
spreads contaminates to other areas.
20. Avoid wearing jewelries’ in the lab as this can pose multiple safety
hazards.

https://quizizz.com/admin/quiz/57598d179279684e83606f91
/lab-safety

Proper Handling of Some Laboratory Apparatus

Disinfection

Spray or swab all interior surfaces with appropriate disinfectant (germicide)

Assemble Material

Pre plan and have all supplies ready for the entire procedure
Introduce only material required to perform procedure (do not block air intake or exhaust
grill by over filling the cabinet)
Place material such that clean and contaminated items do not meet
Place contaminated material container at right rear

Personal Procedures

Wear protective clothing, gloves, mask, etc. as appropriate

Terminal Disinfection

Use fresh gloves; remove materials to incubator, to biohazard bag, autoclave as

appropriate.
Spray or swab all interior surfaces with appropriate disinfectant.

Autoclaves

Autoclaves are used to sterilize items potentially exposed to biohazards. Autoclaves

operate with steam and pressure. Both of these can be dangerous, so autoclaves
should be used with caution.

7
When loading an autoclave, do not overload by stacking or overflowing containers.

Liquids

Containers should not be any more than 2/3 full.

Put in an autoclave safe container.
Be careful when removing to prevent bumping (liquid boiling over).

Solid Waste

Waste bags should be open so that steam can penetrate to sterilize all items.
Each cycle should be about 1 hour.

Centrifuges

To avoid contaminating your centrifuge:

Check glass and plastic centrifuge tubes for stress lines, hairline cracks and chipped
rims before use. Use unbreakable tubes whenever possible.
after centrifugation. Inspect O-rings regularly and replace if cracked or dry.
Ensure that the centrifuge is properly balanced.
Decant supernatants carefully and avoid vigorous shaking when resuspending packed

Needles and Syringes

Needles and syringes present hazards of spill, autoinoculation and aerosol generation,
and should be used only when absolutely necessary. When working with syringes and
needles, the following precautions are recommended:

Perform all operations with infectious material in a biological safety cabinet.

Keep syringes and sharps pointed away from the worker and others.
Fill syringes carefully; avoid frothing or introduction of air bubbles.
Use luer-lock needles and syringes or units in which needles are integral to syringes.
Do not bend, shear by hand, or recap needles.
Do not disassemble a needle/syringe assembly.

Pipettes

Improper handling of pipettes can lead to contamination of the user and/or to generation
of hazardous aerosols. Mechanical pipetting aids should be used for all pipetting
procedures. Never pipette by mouth.

Selection of a pipetting device should be based upon:

- Intended use
- ease of handling
- delivery accuracy
- user preference
- quality of seal formed with pipettes to be used; liquid should not leak from the
pipette tip
- whether the pipetting aid can be sterilized

8
Microscopes

Disinfect the stage, eyepieces, knobs and any other contaminated parts.
Select a disinfectant that will be effective on the pathogens and non-corrosive to the
microscope.

Water baths

Clean regularly; add disinfectant, such as a phenolic detergent, to the water. Avoid
using sodium aside to prevent growth of microorganisms because sodium azide forms
explosive compounds with some metals.

Raise the temperature to 90oC or higher for 30 minutes once a week for
decontamination purposes.

To prevent electrical shocks, unplug the unit before filling or emptying and have the
continuity-to-ground checked on a regular basis.

Source https://www.ualberta.ca/agricultural-food-nutritional-science/index.html

What’s More

Read the following statement. Write whether it is true or false. Write your answer on the
space provided.
_______________1. Improper use of pipette can lead to contamination of chemicals
_______________2. Autoclaves are needed to sterilized laboratory equipment.
_______________3. Wear protective clothing, gloves, mask, etc. as appropriate

_______________4. Throw water if there is a fire

_______________5. Ask your teacher before proceeding to an experiment.

_______________6. It’s important to understand and practice emergency procedures

_______________7. Small accidents don’t need to be reported.

_______________8. You should inspect equipment and accessories before every use.

_______________9. Chemical containers without appropriate labels should not be used.

_______________10. All chemicals require the same protective materials.

9
 What I Have Learned

Write an essay about the proper usage of laboratory apparatus and equipment with 8-
10 sentences.
You will be graded based on the following:

Presentation of Ideas 5 points

Content 5 points
TOTAL 10 points

What I Can Do

Explain what will you do if the following situations happen.

1. What will you do if clothing is on fire?

2. What will you do if chemical spill on your eyes?

Assessment

Fill in the blanks. Write your answer on the space provided

1. Use ______________ to protect your hands.
2. Use_______________ to protect your eyes.
3. Do not overload the ________________ in sterilizing.
4. Do not use __________________ suction for pipetting or starting a siphon.

10
 Additional Activities

Make a slogan or poster or song that would summarize the proper handling of
Laboratory apparatus and Equipment.
You will be graded based on the following
Criteria
Presentation of Ideas 5 points
Content 5 points
Criteria 5 points
TOTAL 15 points

Answer Sheet

Module 1: Lesson 2: Proper Handling of Apparatus and Equipment

What’s New Assessment
1. 1.
2. 2.
3.
4.
What more
1. 6.
2. 7.
3. 8.
4. 9.
5. 10.

What I Have Learned

11
 What I can do

Additional Activities

12