INCUBATOR FOR MIDTERMS Flashcards
provides a temperature-controlled environment to support the growth of microbiological cultures
laboratory incubator
True or False
Typical incubators are insulated boxes with an adjustable heater, going up to 60°C to 65°C (140°F to 149°F), though some can go slightly higher (generally to no more than 100°C).
True
The operation of a lab incubator is based on the ___________, in which a thermostat maintains a stable temperature by generating a thermal gradient
thermoelectric principle
Under thermal gradient conditions, any conductor produces a voltage, which is known as the ________________
thermoelectric effect
True or False
About the Principle of an Incubator
When the circuit is energised, the lab incubator is heated to a set temperature (e.g. 40°C). The compatibility and efficient performance of temperature sensors, temperature controllers and temperature contactors are key factors in maintaining temperature.
True
Once the cultures of organisms are created, the culture plates are to be placed inside an incubator at the desired temperature and required period of time. In most clinical laboratories, the usual temperature to be maintained is ________ for bacteria.
35–37°C
Procedure for Running an Incubator
- Before using the incubator, it should be made sure that no remaining items are present in the incubator from the previous cycles.
- However, in some cases, if the same incubator is being used for multiple organisms, and they require the same set of parameters, they can be placed together in the same incubator. - The door of the incubator is then kept closed, and the incubator is switched on. The incubator has to be heated up to the desired temperature of the growth of the particular organism. The thermometer can be used to see if the temperature has reached.
3.In the meantime, if the organism requires a particular concentration of CO2 or a specific humidity, those parameters should also be set in the incubator.
True
Procedure for Running an Incubator
- Once all the parameters are met, the petri dish cultures are placed on the perforated shelves upside down, i.e., media uppermost. This is necessary because if the plates are incubated normally, condensation collects on the surface of the medium and prevents the formation of isolated colonies.
- If it is necessary to incubate Petri dish cultures for several days, the plates are sealed with adhesive tapes or are placed in plastic bags or plastic food containers.
- Now, the door is locked, and the plates are kept inside for the required time before taking
them out.
True
- frame of the whole incubator
- outer layer: corrosion-resistant stainless steel plate
- inner layer: aluminum w/ good thermal conductivity
- two walls are filled with glass wool to ensure better temperature control
- inside the incubator: an inward protrusion to support the shelves inside the lab incubator
Cabinet
- made of transparent glass with an insulating layer, which makes it easy to observe the status inside the incubator
- fitted with an asbestos door gasket to prevent entry of outside air
Door
- monitor the temperature, humidity and other parameters inside the incubator, with all the switches and control keys
Control Panel
- affixed to the incubator’s inner wall and function as the platform upon which the culture media plates are placed
Perforated Shelves
The __________ allow for controlled air movement within the cabinet
- some incubators feature removable shelves for easy cleaning
Perforations
- used to set the desired temperature of the incubator
- once the desired temperature is reached, this automatically maintains the lab incubator until the temperature changes again
Thermostat
- provides an almost airtight seal between the door and the cabinet
- this seal prevents outside air from infiltrating the cabinet, thus maintaining a stable internal environment
Asbestos Door Gasket
- places on the incubator’s top exterior wall to read temperature levels accurately
- one end with a ________ extends slightly into the chamber, while the other end displays the readings outside the device for easy monitoring
L-Shaped Thermometer
mercury bulb
- some incubators, especially CO2 types, come with a reservoir beneath the chamber for water storage
- water is vaporized to maintain relative humidity inside the chamber
- likewise, these incubators also have gas chambers to control the level of CO2
Humidity and Gas Control
What are the types of incubators?
- Cooled/Refrigerated Incubator
- Shaking Incubator
- Portable Incubator
- Benchtop Incubator
- CO2 Incubator
- Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Incubator
- Anaerobic Incubator
- Constant Temperature and Humidity Incubator
- Analog Incubator
- Digital Incubator
- has built-in refrigeration system that keeps things cool, even when it’s hot outside
- ______ help to circulate fresh air and ensure the temperature is evenly distributed
- the incubator also has sensors to monitor the temperature accurately
Cooled/Refrigerated Incubator
- fans
- this incubator is designed to supply a good amount of oxygen and nutrients to help cells grow well
- combine shaking and incubation in one machine, giving cells a good mix of oxygen and nutrients for optimal growth
- useful for growing all sorts of cells, like bacteria, tissues, and yeast
Shaking Incubator
- enable microbiological testing in remote locations and in settings with limited resources
- can remove the difficulty of sample transportation, reducing the possibility of sample deterioration
Portable Incubator
- the majority of these incubators contain alarms, a glass door, and a display screen with the temperature and the time
- the temperature varies from the surrounding air to _____
Benchtop Incubator
- 100°C
- in life science labs, airtight, climate-controlled ________ are used to produce biological cell cultures
- must preserve the same conditions as those found inside the human body
CO2 Incubators
- frequently referred to as low-temperature incubators because ______ and _____ need a low temperature for growth
- it is named like this since low temperature of 20-25˚C is also required for biological oxygen demand testing
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Incubator
- yeast and molds
- used to maintain and operate bacteria in an atmosphere devoid of oxygen
- the most challenging anaerobic organisms to grow can be grown, and it eliminates the risk of anaerobic organisms dying from oxygen exposure while working in the atmosphere
Anaerobic Incubator
- this incubator’s precise temperature and humidity control system creates a variety of environmental simulation conditions needed for industrial research and biotechnology testing
Constant Temperature and Humidity Incubator
- the simplest form of incubator
- inexpensive and simple to use
- the precision of this incubator is lower than that of the digital incubator
- there is not any other display board
- as a result, it does not allow an individual to view the inside chamber’s actual temperature
Analog Incubator
- very expensive but simple to use
- better accuracy
- has a display board that enables users to view the real temperature of the inside chamber
Digital Incubator
Precautions During Use of Incubator
- Do not repeatedly open the door of incubator to avoid _________________
- All the parameters are required for growth of microorganism should be set ______ placing the plate in the incubator
- Culture plates should be placed __________ to avoid condensation of water
- Incubator should be cleaned properly to avoid __________
- temperature fluctuation
- before
- upside down
- contamination
Application of the Incubator to the Microbiology and Parasitology
In microbiology and parasitology, incubators provide controlled environments ( _________, ________, and ________) for the growth and maintenance of microorganisms and parasites. They ensure optimal conditions for culturing bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and other organisms for research, diagnosis, and testing.
temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels
Clean Cell Culture Incubators in 6 Easy Steps
Enumerate the Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
- Turn the Power Off.
- Remove Interior Components.
- Clean the Interior Components.
- Spray Disinfecting Alcohol.
- Replace the Interior Components.
- Let the Incubator Air Dry with the Door Ajar.
True or False
Do not wipe the same portion of the sterile non-woven cloth more than once.
True
Filters that prevent contamination by purifying the air inside the incubator
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filters
