The World of Science: Life Science Tools

Friday, July 8, 2011

What are the Science Laboratory Tools and Equipment?

What the tools of life science (Grade 5 Assignment)

When I was in my Intermediate Grades, I had never experienced this tough of studying like my son now. So advance, lots of resources but limited time, yet with my analysis not all of these teachings are being absorbed by the pupils. Is it because of time pressure, maybe, or they have lots to things to think, and things to do or want to do. Pouring liquid in a hole gradually is better than doing it in a sudden and volume. A Simple life is still a happy life.

What the tools of life science are

A science laboratory would not be complete without tools. The most important tools are the mind and the imagination of the scientist. Without these there would be no science. Some of the tools of a life scientist are beakers, test tubes, and a heat source. Glassware that is heated must withstand heating, or it will break. Hot plates or burners can be used to heat various chemicals.

Science Laboratory Tools

Beakers: They are used for routine mixing & heating where a larger opening is more convenient than a narrow mouth & the greater accuracy of a graduated cylinder is not required. Although it can be used for measuring, a chemistry beaker is only about 10% accurate & should not be used for precision measurement.
Graduated cylinders: are useful for measuring out liquids or for calibrating beakers and erlenmeyer flasks. They are useful for doing displacement/density measurements as well as basic volume measuring.
Erlenmeyer flasks : They can be used for general measuring or even juice containers. An erlenmeyer flask can be sealed with parafilm or rubber or cork stoppers. They are of similar accuracy to science lab beakers but less than graduated cylinders.
Watchglasses - Beaker Covers: Watch glasses have all kinds of uses. They that can be used as beaker lids, to hold small invertebrates for viewing under a microscope or to dissolve crystals & powders. Make an ice lens!
Boiling (Florence) Flasks:The boiling flasks shown in the picture have round bottoms and need a 4 fingered support clamp and bosshead as shown. The
flat bottom versions are identical except that the bottom is flat and can stand upright without support.
Support Stands, Rings and Clamps:These are metal labwares that help support the various glass equipment.
Dissecting Instrument Kit:This basic dissecting kit is intended for elementary and middle school use for studying fish, worms, insects and invertebrates.
Forceps:The two fine tipped splinter forceps are shown to the left and the medium point forceps are shown to the right. Thumb dressing forceps are similar to the medium points but are slightly larger. Tissue forceps (not shown) have teeth on them for an extra firm hold; they are sometimes known as mouse or rat-tooth forceps.