Basic Laboratory Safety and The Microscope Flashcards

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering laboratory safety protocols, waste management, infectious control strategies, and the history and mechanics of microscopy.

How does a hazard differ from a risk in a laboratory setting?

A hazard is a source or situation with the potential of causing harm (it exists even if no one is exposed), while a risk is the potential or chance that a chosen action will lead to an undesirable outcome or that the hazard will become reality.

What are the eight types of safety hazards represented by the acronym BFSCREEP?

1. Biological, 2. Sharp, 3. Chemical, 4. Radioactive, 5. Electrical, 6. Fire/Explosive, 7. Physical, 8. Ergonomic.

In the chain of infection, what is the difference between a Vector and a Vehicle?

A Vector is a living organism (e.g., mosquito, tick, flea) that transmits disease, whereas a Vehicle is a non-living organism or substance (e.g., food, water, blood) that carries pathogens.

Which agency is responsible for enforcing standards and providing training to ensure healthy and safe working conditions for workers?

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

What is the primary difference between Universal Precautions (UP) and Standard Precautions?

Universal Precautions (1985) focus mainly on preventing bloodborne pathogen transmission by treating blood as infectious, while Standard Precautions (1996) assume that blood, all body fluids, non-intact skin, and mucous membranes may contain infectious agents.

What are the five major categories of mitigation control measures (ESEAP)?

1. Elimination, 2. Substitution, 3. Engineering Controls, 4. Administrative Controls, 5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Within what timeframe must an accident be evaluated to ensure appropriate Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is initiated?

Within $24$ hours.

What are the 16-section documents mandated by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard for chemical classification?

Safety Data Sheets (SDS), which follow the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS).

What acronyms are used for fire safety response and fire extinguisher operation?

RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate) and PASS (Pull pin, Aim nozzle, Squeeze trigger, Sweep nozzle).

In waste segregation, what do the colors Yellow, Red, and Orange represent?

Yellow is for Infectious and Pathological Waste; Red is for sharps and pressurized containers; Orange is for radioactive waste.

What are the specific parameters for effective sterilization using an Autoclave?

High pressure heat at $15\,psi$ for $30$-$60$ minutes at $132^\circ\text{C}$.

Who is considered the "Father of Microscopy" and was the first to describe bacteria and protozoa?

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek.

Which type of microscope is used specifically to count platelets and study internal cell structures without staining?

Phase-Contrast Microscope.

Compare the magnification capabilities of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

SEM produces $3\text{D}$ images with a magnification of $20,000\times$, while TEM produces $2\text{D}$ images of internal ultrastructure with a magnification of up to $20$ million times.

What is Numerical Aperture (N/A) in microscopy?

A measure of a lens's ability to gather light and resolve fine detail, regulating the balance between contrast and resolution.

What are the magnification powers and associated color codes for Scanning, Low Power, and High Power objective lenses?

Scanning: $4\times$ (Red); Low Power: $10\times$ (Yellow); High Power: $40\times$ (Blue).

What is the standard tube length for a microscope objective?

$160\,mm$.

How is the total magnification of a specimen calculated?

$\text{Total Magnification} = \text{Power of Ocular } (10\times) \times \text{Objective in Use}$.

What are the three types of immersion oil and their specific uses?

Type A (low viscosity) for Fluorescence and Dark Field; Type B (very high viscosity) for Brightfield and standard clinical use; Type C (high viscosity) for inclined microscopes with long focus projective lenses.

What is the proper way to carry a microscope and clean its lenses?

Always carry it with two hands (one under the base, one on the arm); clean dust with a camel hairbrush and avoid using water or saline on the lenses.