Unit 1.1 - Laboratory Skills for Biologists Flashcards
Describe a hazard
Any source which can potentially be harmful
Describe a risk
The likelihood of harm arising from exposure to a hazard
Name two control measures
Protective equipment/clothing, aseptic techniques
How can we measure the concentration or turbidity of a solution?
A colorimeter
What is a buffer?
A solution which allows the pH of a mixture to be kept constant
What does centrifugation consist of?
Spinning a mixture at a high speed to separate components
What is affinity chromatography used for?
To separate target proteins from a mixture
Describe gel electrophoresis
It separates proteins based upon their charge, shape or size
What do native gels do?
Analyse proteins that are still in their folded shape by shape, size and charge
What is the role of SDS-page?
It gives all the molecules and equally negative charge and denatures them based on size
What are four characteristics of antibodies?
1 - made of protein
2 - Y shaped
3 - made by B-lymphocytes
4 - specific to one type of antigen
What are immunoassays used for?
To detect and identify specific proteins
What is bright field microscopy used to examine?
Whole organisms, parts of organisms or thin sections of tissue
How is fluorescence microscopy used?
Specific fluorescent labels bind to certain molecules to visualise them
What are aseptic techniques used to prevent?
Cross contamination
