Lab Safety and Scientific Method Vocabulary

Flashcards covering essential vocabulary for lab safety, aseptic techniques, and the scientific method.

Aseptic transfer

A technique used to prevent contamination of sterile substances or objects.

Disinfect

To clean something using chemicals to kill microorganisms.

Bunsen burner

A small adjustable gas burner used in laboratories.

Biological microorganism

Tiny organisms such as bacteria or viruses, often studied in microbiology.

Transfer loop

A metal wire loop used to transfer microbes.

Needles (microbiology)

Instruments used to transfer or inoculate microbes in media.

Flame sterilization

Using flame to kill microbes on instruments.

Laboratory coat

A protective coat worn in laboratories to shield skin and clothes from spills.

Closed-toe shoes

Footwear that completely covers the foot, required in labs for protection.

Infectious materials

Substances that may contain pathogens capable of causing disease.

Scientific Method

A systematic process for answering questions and testing ideas through observation and experimentation.

Observation

Using senses to gather information about a phenomenon.

Hypothesis

A testable, educated guess that explains an observation.

Experiment

A procedure carried out to test a hypothesis.

Experimental Group

The group in an experiment that receives the experimental variable.

Control Group

The group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental variable.

Variable

Any factor that can change in an experiment.

Analyze Results

Interpreting data collected from experiments.

Conclusion

A summary of experimental results and their relation to the hypothesis.

Scientific Theory

A well-supported explanation of an aspect of the natural world, based on repeated observations.