micro1 Chapter 2 – Laboratory Safety

Flashcards covering key concepts in laboratory safety, including infection routes, biosafety levels, biological safety cabinets, and sterilization processes.

What are the routes of lab infection?

Needlestick/direct inoculation, aerosols, mucous membrane exposure, ingestion/non-intact skin contact.

What are standard precautions in laboratory safety?

Treat all specimens as infectious.

What is the biosafety level 1 (BSL-1)?

Nonpathogenic organisms.

What is the biosafety level 2 (BSL-2)?

Moderate risk organisms such as HBV and HIV.

What pathogens are associated with biosafety level 3 (BSL-3)?

Aerosol pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

What is the highest risk level in biosafety levels?

Biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) which includes high mortality pathogens like Ebola.

What does a Class I Biological Safety Cabinet protect?

Protects personnel.

What is the most common type of Biological Safety Cabinet?

Class II, which protects both personnel and specimens.

What does a Class III Biological Safety Cabinet provide?

Glove box for the highest level of containment.

What are the conditions for autoclaving?

121°C, 15 psi, for 15 minutes (moist heat sterilization).

What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

Sterilization destroys all life, while disinfection reduces pathogens.

What is an antiseptic?

A substance used on living tissue to reduce pathogens.