Basic Laboratory Apparatus and Microscope Anatomy & Care

Comprehensive question-and-answer flashcards covering laboratory apparatus function, culture media examples, and microscope anatomy, care, and handling instructions.

What laboratory apparatus is shown in this image, and what is its primary function?

Petri dish; used to culture microorganisms in solid media.

What are culture tubes used for in the laboratory?

They are used to hold, mix, and heat contents needed for culture media.

What are the specific uses of an inoculating loop versus an inoculating needle?

An inoculating loop is used for transferring microorganisms and for streaking. An inoculating needle is used for transferring microorganisms and is usually used in tube media.

Identify the parts labeled on the inoculating tools shown in the image.

Handle, loop, and needle.

What are the primary functions of an alcohol lamp in the microbiology laboratory?

To sterilize inoculating loops and needles, heat-fix smears, and flame petri dishes and tubes during the transfer of microorganisms.

Match the three items shown in the common glassware image to their specific uses.

Beakers (left) are used to contain or store liquids and solutions; Graduated cylinder (middle) is used to measure liquids; Erlenmeyer flask (right) is used to prepare media.

What is the primary function of forceps in the laboratory?

Used for gripping and manipulating small or delicate objects.

What laboratory equipment is pictured, and what are its standard sterilization conditions?

Autoclave; sterilizes equipment at $121^\circ\text{C}$ at $15\,\text{psi}$ for $15\,\text{minutes}$.

What is the specific use of a wash bottle in laboratory procedures?

Used to wash stains from glass slides.

What is the function of a water bath in the laboratory?

Used to steam or heat liquids and solutions.

What are the key uses of a watch glass?

Evaporating liquids, holding and weighing small amounts of solid samples, heating substances, and covering beakers to prevent contamination while allowing for gas exchange.

What are wooden applicator sticks used for in microbiology?

Used for routine spot tests, drop transfers, and mixing.

What is the main function of a glass slide?

Used in staining and observing specimens under the microscope.

What is the ocular lens of a microscope, and what magnification power do the classroom microscopes have?

It is the lens where you look through to see the image of the specimen (usually 10X or 15X power). The microscopes in the lecture have an ocular lens power of 10X.

What is the function of the body tube on a microscope?

It connects the eyepiece to the objective lenses.

What is the role of the microscope arm?

Supports the body tube and connects it to the base.

What is the stage of a microscope?

The flat platform where you place your slides.

What are stage clips, and how does a mechanical stage function?

Stage clips hold the slides in place. A mechanical stage allows moving the slide around (left/right and up/down) by turning two knobs.

What is the difference between the coarse adjustment knob and the fine adjustment knob?

The coarse adjustment knob moves the stage (or body tube) up and down. The fine adjustment knob is a small, round knob used to fine-tune the focus of the specimen after using the coarse adjustment knob.

What four standard objective lens powers are almost always present on a microscope?

4X, 10X, 40X, and 100X powers.

What is the revolving nosepiece?

The part that holds two or more objective lenses and can be rotated to easily change power.

What are the respective functions of the diaphragm and condenser on a microscope?

The diaphragm controls the amount of light going through the specimen, while the condenser centralizes the light.

Identify the optical device and its key functional parts shown in this diagram.

Microscope; key parts include Eyepiece, Body Tube, Revolving Nosepiece, Arm, Objective Lens, Stage, Stage Clips, Diaphragm, Light, Coarse adjustment knob, Fine adjustment knob, and Base.

What is the correct way to carry a microscope?

Carry the microscope with the arm of the scope in one hand and the palm of the opposite hand supporting the base.

How should immersion oil be removed from glass microscope components?

Wipe the glass parts with lens paper or tissue paper soaked with ethyl alcohol.

What objective lens position should the microscope be left in when finishing an experiment?

It should be left with the lowest power objective in the working position.