Laboratory Equipment Names and Function

pH Meter

Determines the pH of a solution by measuring the voltage between the two electrodes that are placed in the solution.

bright-field microscope (also known as compound microscope)

Uses lenses and light to view objects or specimens that are too small to be seen with just the human eye that are either dark or transparent.

emergency eye wash station

Used to flush eyes in case of chemical contact.

pH indicator strips

Paper that is dipped into a solution to determine the pH by a color that aligns with a chart.

Erlenmeyer flask

Used to hold and heat liquids, has narrow neck to prevent splashes.

incubator

A device used to grow and maintain microbiological cultures or cell cultures.

beaker

Flat-bottomed glass container used in laboratories for holding and heating liquids.

transfer pipet

Plastic pipettes used to transfer small amounts of liquids, but are not graduated or calibrated for any particular volume.

inoculating loop

Instrument used to pick up and transfer bacteria.

pipet aids

Used to either pick up liquids into or expel liquids out of pipettes.

Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)

An electron microscope used to study the internal structure of thin sections of cells.

agar plate

A petri dish containing a nutrient medium solidified with agar.

clinical centrifuge

Used in the separation of serum, plasma and urea in blood samples, and for other routine applications in hospital and research laboratories.

micropipettes

Precisely measures very small amounts of liquids.

analytical balance

Used for determining mass at up to four decimal places.

fume hood

Used to prevent a person from exposure to hazardous fumes from chemicals.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

An electron microscope used to study the fine details of cell surfaces.

safety shower

Used to rinse hazardous chemicals off of the skin or clothing.

test tubes

Holds liquids for observation or testing.

top-loading balance

Used for determining mass at up to two decimal places.

stir plate or stirrer

Device used with a magnetic stir bar to provide stirring action in a liquid.

biosafety cabinet

Enclosed and ventilated laboratory workspace for safely working with materials that are contaminated with pathogens.

microcentrifuge

Separates materials from small samples based on density.

electrophoresis chamber

Plastic chamber used for DNA and RNA electrophoresis.

autoclave

Pressure chamber that is used to sterilize equipment and supplies. Uses high temperature steam that kills any and all organisms (including spores).

clean bench

Aseptic work area; does not provide personal protection.

media bottle

Glass container used to store agar, broth, chemicals, etc.

vertical electrophoresis chamber

Plastic chamber used for protein electrophoresis.

serological pipet

Used for transferring milliliter volumes of liquid.

water bath

A container of water heated to a given temperature, used for heating substances placed in smaller containers.

vortexer

A machine that will vigorously shake a container to mix the contents.

incubator shaker

Incubator with rotating rack for flasks, and circulating air to keep liquid cultures well "aerated" and at a fixed temperature.

spectrophotometer

An instrument that measures the proportions of light of different wavelengths absorbed and transmitted by a pigment solution.

conical tube

Capped tube used to hold chemical substances.

graduated cylinder

Used to accurately measure the volume of a liquid.