Laboratory equipment

and
glassware
Pr. [Link]
Associate Professor of microbiology
Industrial pharmacy lecture
Algiers, 01/14/2024
Learning objectives

At the end of this lecture, the student will be able to:

• Identify common laboratory glassware and equipment

• Describe the use of laboratory wares.

• Explain the general care of laboratory wares.

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Laboratory glassware
I- OVERVIEW ON LABORATORY GLASSWARES

1. Definition

laboratory glassware and plastic wares are materials used in laboratories for:

➢measuring

➢pipetting

➢ transferring

➢Preparation of reagents

➢Storage etc.

PS: Plastic wares are more and more replacing glassware nowadays with recent advancement made in the use of
plastic resin
I- OVERVIEW ON LABORATORY GLASSWARES

1. Definition

laboratory glassware and plastic wares are materials used in laboratories for:

➢measuring

➢pipetting

➢ transferring

➢Preparation of reagents

➢Storage etc.

PS: Plastic wares are more and more replacing glassware nowadays with recent advancement made in the use of
plastic resin
2. Classification of Laboratory glass wares

Lab glassware are generally classified according to their use.

a)- volumetric glassware
 Apparatus used for measurement of liquids. it includes :
◼ Volumetric flasks

◼ Volumetric pipettes

◼ Graduated or mesuring pipette

◼ Burettes

◼ Graduated centrifuge tubes.. etc

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b)- Semi-volumetric Glass wares : Are used for approximate measurement. It includes;

◼ Conical flask

◼ Graduated cylinder

◼ Graduated beaker with double beaks

◼ Graduated glass etc

c)- Non- volumetric glass wares: are not calibrated to hold a particular or exact volume, but
rather are available for various volumes, depending on the use desired
. Erlenmeyer flask . Beaker
. Round bottom flask . Flat bottom flask
. Centrifuge tube . Test tube
. Pasture pipette
II- COMMON LABORATORY GLASSWARES

[Link]
• They are designated as class “A” or “B” according to their accuracy.

 Class “A” pipettes are the most accurate and the tolerance limits are well
defined that is, +0.01, + 0.02 and 0.04 ml for 2, 25, and 50 ml pipettes
respectively.

 Class “B” pipettes: are less accurate but quite satisfactory for most general
laboratory purposes.
 Volumetric pipettes
 Volumetric pipettes are calibrated to deliver a constant
volume of liquid.

 The most commonly used sizes are 1, 5, and 10, 25 ml

capacities.

They have a bulb midway between the mouthpiece and the

tip.

The Volume (capacity) and calibration temperature of the

pipettes are clearly written on the bulb.

They should be used when a high degree of accuracy is

desired.
Volumetric pipettes…

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Graduated or measuring pipettes
 It’s a glass tube of uniform diameter with graduation marks
evenly spaced along the length.

 Measuring pipettes are divided into:

- Mohr pipette: graduations always ends before the tip

- Serological pipette : graduations continue to the tip

These pipettes are intended for the delivery of predetermined

volumes.

Measuring pipettes are common in 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 ml sizes.

They should be used when a high degree of accuracy is desired.

 Burette

• Burettes are used for measuring variable quantities of liquid

that are used in volumetric titrations.

• They are made in capacities from 1 to100 milliliters.

• They are long graduated tubes of uniform bore and are closed
at the lower end by means of a glass stopper intended to
deliver exact measure of reagent.
 Flasks

• There are four types of flaks having 25 to 6,000 milliliter (ml) capacities.

1. Conical (Erlenmeyer) flasks

Conical (Erlenmeyer) flasks are useful for titrations and also for boiling
solutions when it is necessary to keep evaporation to a minimum.

2. Flat bottomed round flasks

• Flat-bottomed round flasks are convenient containers to

heat liquids.
 Flasks

3. Round bottomed flasks

 can stand with higher temperatures than the flat- bottomed

type. Used for boiling in necked flame

4. Volumetric flasks

• They are used to prepare various kinds of solutions.

• Most flasks are graduated to contain a certain volume.

 Beakers

• Beakers have capacities from 5 to 5,000 ml.

• They are usually made up of heat resistant glass and are available in
different shapes.

• The most commonly used is the squat form, which is cylindrical and has
a spout.

• There is also a tall form, usually without a spout

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Cylinders

• Cylinders are supplied in 10 to 2,000 ml capacities.

• Some are of heat resistant glass or plastic.

• Measurement of liquids can be made quickly with these vessels, but a high
degree of accuracy is impossible because of the wide bore of the cylinders.

Graduated
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Cylinder
 Test tubes

• Test tubes are made of hardened glass or plastic materials that

can withstand actions of chemicals, thermal shock and centrifugal
strains.

• They are used to hold samples and solutions during medical

laboratory procedures.

• These include simple round tubes, conical centrifuge tubes,

vaccutainer tubes. Test tubes can be with or with out rims (lips).

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 Reagent bottles

• Reagent bottles are used to store different types of

laboratory reagents.

• They are made from glass or plastics. Depending on their

use, they are available in various sizes and type.

Dropping bottle
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 Petri dish

❑ Petri dishes are flat glass or plastic containers, which

have a number of uses in the laboratory :
• They are used predominantly for the cultivation of
organisms on solid media.

• They are made with diameters of 5 to 14 centimeter.

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 Funnels
• There are two types of funnels that are widely used in laboratories.
They can be made from glass or plastic materials.
1. Filter Funnels
• Filter funnels are used for pouring liquids into narrow
mouthed containers, and for supporting filter papers during
filtration.

2. Separating Funnels
• They are used for separating immiscible liquids
of different densities. Example, oil and water.

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 Pasture pipettes

• They are non-volumetric glassware used in transferring liquid.

• It has a long –drown-out tip with a rubber bulb or teat to

suction.

Plastic pasture pipette

Glass pasture pipette

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 Desiccators

• Desiccators are glass sealable jar containing desiccants

used for preserving moisture-sensitive items.

• A desiccators contains substances called drying agents.

These absorb the water in the air of the desiccators.

• The most commonly used drying agents (desiccants) are

calcium chloride and concentrated sulfuric acid.

• The chemical that is to be dried is placed in another bottle

or test tube and is put on top of the desiccants present in a
securely closed desiccators.

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 Laboratory cuvettes

• used for photometric readings in instruments or used for

measurements of absorbance.

• Can be glass, quartz, or plastic

• Glass Cuvettes resist many laboratory reagents like organic

solvents.

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 Pestle and mortar

• Pestle and mortar are used for grinding solids, for example,
calculi and large crystals of chemicals.

• After each use always clean the pestle and mortar

thoroughly ( avoid cross contamination)

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 Precautions when using glassware
1. All glassware must be handled carefully.
2. Breakage can some times be dangerous (sharp cuttings) and may result in
the loss of valuable and irreplaceable materials.

3. Flasks and beakers should be placed on a gauze mat when they are heated
over a Bunsen flame.

4. Test tubes exposed to a naked flame should be made of heat resistant

glasses.

5. If liquids are to be heated in a bath or boiling water, the glass contents

should be heat resistant.
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Laboratory equipement
I- Essential laboratory apparatus

1- Small lab tools

Crucible tongs (hot objects)

Pick small objects

Beaker tongs

Spatula
test tube rack
magnetic stir bar
 I- Essential laboratory apparatus
2- Pipetting and dispensing

Chemical aspirator
pipette controller

Rubber pipette bulbs

Micropipettes

Liquid dispenser
repeater dispenser
I- Essential laboratory apparatus
3- Machine and devices
3.1 THE MICROSCOPE

• Used to visualize minute objects (animate and inanimate),

that cannot be seen by our naked eye. It is a magnifying lens.

• Different types of microscope :

- Light field microscope - Dark field light microscope

- Phase contrast microscope - Fluorescence microscope

- Inverted microscope - Electron Microscope

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Care when using the microscope
1. Do not use force for any mechanism.
2. Check stage and under side of the specimen, re DRY and CLEAN.
3. Cover wet preparation with cover slip.
4. Use non-drying oil immersion.
5. Put eyepieces that are not in use in closed container.
6. Always lift and carry the microscope well supported with hands.
7. Protect the microscope from dust, moisture and direct sunlight.
8. Never dip the objectives in xylene or ethanol, as this may cause the lenses to
become detached.
9. Never touch the lenses with your fingers.

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 3- Machine and devices

3.2 BALANCES

• They are widely used for weighing of various substances (powders, crystals and
others)

• Balances in labs may be:

- Rough balances (mechanical balances)

Weighing substances which don’t need extreme accuracy (large amounts)

- Analytical balances/electrical/
. highly sensitive instrument

. most popularly used balances in laboratories to provide a precision and accuracy

for reagent and standard preparation.

3.3 Laboratory centrifuges
• They are used to separate compounds solution mixtures on the basis of
their density difference by subjecting them to centrifugal force.

• As a result, heavier elements are thrown to the bottom of the tube

followed by lighter particles.

• Based on their rotor , there are two types of centrifuges: Bucket

- Swing out head: Most frequently used. the head is designed to swing the
tubes to the horizontal position during centrifugation process

- Fixed head: They have different angles for different

speed and volumes capacity. rotors
Head
Kinds of centrifuges

1. Micro-centrifuges

They are used for spinning small tubes (<2ml).

2. large centrifuges ( benchtop or floor standing)

• They are widely applied in bacteriology and medical chemistry laboratories.
• The speed is given in revolution per minutes (rpm).
• Small models are designed to centrifuge volumes up to 200 ml at maximum
speeds of 3,000 - 4,000 rpm.
• centrifuge may have built in timer. Some centrifuges may have a temperature
gauge in order to keep the temperature constant as it spines.
3. Ultra-centrifuges
• High-speed : Up to 90,000 – 100,000 rpm; 178,000 g
• More common in research
Use and care of centrifuges
• Placing a centrifuge on a firm level bench out of direct sunlight, towards the back
of the bench.

• Whenever possible using plastic tubes.

• Always closing the centrifuge top before turning it on.

• Always balancing the tubes that are being centrifuged.

• Increasing spinning speed gradually is important.

• Never open the centrifuge while it is still spinning. Never try to slow it down with
your hand

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 3- Machine and devices

3.4 Water bath

• The water bath is required in many laboratory tests with
controlled temperature.

• The temperature of the water bath is thermostatically

controlled and can be set at any desired level ranging
usually from 20oC to 100oC.

• The heating coil may be of immersion type or enclosed in a

case, some models have propellers to help to circulated
water so that identical temperature is maintained
throughout the water bath.
 3- Machine and devices

3.5 Incubator

• Incubation at controlled temperature is required for many tests

in medical and chemistry labs (ex. Bacterial culture).

• the air inside is kept at a specific temperature (usually at 370c).

When tubes are kept inside the incubator, they take the
temperature of the incubator.

• If the incubator does not have a temperature display, insert a

thermometer in the vent hole through the roof of the
incubator
 3- Machine and devices

3.5 Mixers and stirrers

• are instruments used for preparation of reagents for mixing

or dissolving purpose.

• They operate by mechanical or magnetic forces.

• Also used for homogenization.

 3- Machine and devices

3.6 PH meter
• It is an instrument which is used to measure potential of ion
hydrogen (i.e. acidity or alkalinity of a substance) or Is an
instrument used to measure the PH or H+ ion concentration.

• Potential of hydrogen pH scale is 0 – 14 (Acid pH: 0-6.9/

Neutral pH: 7.0/ Alkaline pH: 7.1-14.0).
 3.7 Spectrophotometer

• A spectrophotometer is an instrument with 2 parts ,

namely a spectrometer for producing light of any selected
color (wavelength) in visible spectrum, and a photometer
for measuring the intensity of light.

• It measures the amount of light that a sample absorbs by

passing a light beam of specific wavelength through it.

• Continuous adjustment of λ with the help of prisms or

diffraction gratings.

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 3- Machine and devices

3.8 OVENS
• Hot - air ovens are instruments that are used for drying of
chemicals and glass wares.

• They are also used for the sterilization of various glass

wares and metal instruments.

• They are heated by circulation of hot air between the

metal walls of the oven.

• There is a thermometer on the top of the ovens and

generally an automatic device (thermostat) is fitted to
regulate the temperature.
 3- Machine and devices

3.9 AUTOCLAVES

• Autoclave is an instrument that operates by creating high

temperature under steam pressure.

• Autoclaving is the most common, effective, reliable and

practical method of sterilizing and decontaminating
laboratory materials.

• Usually, Temperature of 1210c which will kill forms of bugs

within 15 minutes and at 15 psi /pound/.
 3- Machine and devices

3.10 Refrigerators & freezers

• Refrigerators are physical appliance of
preserving various laboratory specimens
and reagents

• They suppress the growth of bacteria and

maintain the specimens and products with little
alteration.

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 3- Machine and devices

3.11 Hoods & enclosures

• They are crucial for maintaining a safe and sterile
environment in diagnostic and research laboratories

• These specialized pieces of equipment provide

protection for both laboratory workers and the
materials they handle from potential contamination,
hazardous chemicals, and biological agents

• There are 3 different types of hoods & enclosures

according to their usage :

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 Hoods & enclosures types
Chemical Fume Hood Biological Safety Cabinet Laminar Flow Clean Air Center

• Protection against dangerous • Protection against biological • Maintain sterile workplace

chemicals agents • Protect products from
• Not meant for sitting • 3 types: BSC class I, II & III contamination.
• May have solvent/chemical • Designed for seated work • Positive pressure – air
storage underneath • Negative pressure blowing into face or
breathing zone
 3.12 Equipment of purifying water

DISTILLER
• A process by which impure water is boiled and the steam
condensed on cold surface (condenser) to give pure
distilled water is called distillation.
• Distilled water is free from dissolved salts and clear
colorless, odorless and tasteless. It is sterile too.
• A considerable volume of cool running water is required
to operate or to condense the steam.

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 3.12 Equipment of purifying water

DEIONIZER
• Deionizer is an apparatus used to produce ion free water.

• A deionizer is an apparatus for demineralizing water by

means of cartridges filled with ion-exchange resin.

• Deionization is a process in which chemically impure water

is passed through anion and cation exchange resins to
produce ion free water.

• Deionized water has low electrical conductivity, near

neutral pH and is free from water-soluble salts but is not
sterile.
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II- Special laboratory equipment

Colony counter

Particle seize analyzer

HPLC: High Performance
Liquid Chromatography

Karl Fisher Titrator Thermocycler

Protein Electrophoresis device
Thank you