Laboratory Techniques For Biologists Flashcards
What can present a hazard?
Substances, organisms and equipment in a laboratory
What is a Hazard?
- A toxic or corrosive chemical
- Heat or flammable substances
- Pathogenic organisms
- Mechanical equipment
What is a risk?
The likelihood of harm arising from exposure to a hazard
How can Biologists identify and control measures to minimise risks and reduce hazards?
Creating a risk assessment
What is a control measure?
- Using appropriate handling techniques
- Protective clothing and equipment
- Aseptic techniques
What are linear dilutions?
When dilutions differ by an equal amount e.g. 0.1, 0.2, 0.3
What are log/serial dilutions?
Dilutions that differ by a constant proportion e.g. 0.1, 0.01, 0.001
What is a standard curve?
Plotting known measurements onto a graph to determine unknown measuremeants
How does a buffer control pH?
A buffer is a solution where adding acids or alkalis has very little effect on the pH. This allows pH in a reaction mixture to be kept constant.
What can a colorimeter be used for?
A colorimeter can be used to quantify concentration and turbidity (the cloudiness)
How do colorimeters work?
- Before use the colorimeters need to be calibrated with an appropriate blank sample to provide a baseline reading.
- Light is split into its component colours and filtered so there is one wavelength of light.
- This is then passed through the sample solution where a detector picks up how much light has been absorbed by the sample or transmitted (passed through)
What can absorbance be used for?
To determine the concentration of a coloured solution using a suitable wavelength filter
What can percentage transmission be used for?
Percentage transmission can be used to determine turbidity, such as cells in suspension
How does centrifuge separate substances?
Samples are spun at incredibly fast speeds. More dense components settle to form the pellet whilst less dense components remain in the supernatant.
How does paper and thin layer chromatography separate different amino acids and sugars?
The speed that each solute travels along the chromatogram depends on its differing solubility in the solvent used.