Introduction to Biology and Laboratory Rules Flashcards
Definition of biology
Biology is the study of living things and the interactions among living things and their environment.
Face Mask
To filter particles bigger than 5um such as bacteria, spores, and fungi
Safety goggles
To be worn while performing activities using dangerous materials
Laboratory gloves
Protect hands from heat and chemicals
Laboratory coat
Protects skin and clothing from fires or chemical contamination
Laboratory shoes
To be worn to avoid injuries from glass splinters and chemical spillage
Safety shower station and Eyewash station
To wash and rinse body part/clothing/eye that has been splashed with chemical.
Fire extinguisher
Used to control fire
First aid box
Used to keep lotions and other first aid materials for emergency treatment purposes only
Fireproof blanket
Used to cover fire to prevent oxygen from reaching it until it extinguishes
Fume hood
Used when working with volatile chemicals and toxic gases to prevent the gas from leaking into the laboratory
Laminar flow cabinet
A ventilated cabinet with working space that prevents contamination of biological materials
Biosafety cabinet
A working space used to handle infectious agents or pathogens
Category of waste that can be discarded into sink
- Materials with pH between 5 and 9
- Liquid or solutions with low concentration and are harmless
Category of waste that cannot be discarded into sink
- Solid waste
- Materials with pH less than 5 or more than 9
- Organic solvent
- Chemicals
- Toxic materials
- Heavy metals
- Organic wastes
- Volatile materials
- Reactive materials
Category A (sharp wastes)
Placed into a special bin for sharp material disposal. This bin does not need to be sterilised.
Category B (non-sharp wastes)
Packed first in autoclave resistant biohazard plastic bags, sterilised in an autoclave for decontamination, and then placed into a biohazard bin. Biohazard plastic bags cannot be thrown into regular waste baskets.
Category C (animal carcases)
Wrapped carefully in absorbent material, packed carefully into a biohazard plastic bag and frozen
Category D (liquids)
All biological liquid waste must be decontaminated by autoclaving before disposal. Sterilised biological liquid wastes must be disposed of immediately
Steps to manage chemical spills in the laboratory
- Report immediately to your teacher. Contact firefighters in case of mercury spillage.
- Make the spillage area a restricted area.
- Ensure laboratory doors and windows are opened to allow good ventilation
- Pour sand onto spillage. Replace sand with sulphur if it involves mercury spillage.
- Scoop up chemical spillage using appropriate apparatus. A vacuum cleaner may be used to clean mercury spillage.
- Dispose safely
Actions to be taken during fire
- Stop working immediately and activate the alarm or emergency fire bell
- Ensure all electrical switches are turn off
- Immediately evacuate all pupils according to the emergency route plan
- Assemble at a designated open space
- Contact firefighter’s department
- If clothing or body caught fire, instruct the victim to lie down. Use fireproof blanket to extinguish the fire.
Steps in scientific investigation method
- Identify the problem
- Construct a hypothesis
- Identify and control variables
4 Plan the investigation - Perform experiment
- Collect and present data
- Analyse data
- Interpret data
- Make conclusion and write report
Full report should consist of the following aspects
- Research objectives
- Problem statement
- Hypothesis
- Variable
- List of materials and apparatus
- Procedure
- Results of observations
- Discussion which involves analysis and data interpretation
- Conclusion
Cross section
Divides the structure into upper and lower portions horizontally
