LAB 1 Laboratory Safety Rules PRACTICAL MICROBIOLOGY Welcome

LAB: 1 Laboratory Safety Rules, PRACTICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Welcome to Micro Lab The goal of the laboratory is to expose students to the wide variety of life in the microbial world. Although the study of microbiology includes bacteria, viruses, algae and protozoa, this lab will concentrate primarily on the bacteria

Microbiological techniques are important in preparing the students for the much harder task of identifying the pathogenic microorganisms in a clinical and environmental specimen. Each experiment with a brief theoretical introduction revealing theoretical basis on which the experiment is based on, so that there will be a strong conjunction between the practical and theoretical sessions. Also included in this manual, the safety precautions that each one in the field of microbiology should know and practice

Bacteria belong to the kingdom Monera. This kingdom contains more biological diversity than all other kingdoms combined. Most people tend to associate bacteria with disease, but less than ten percent of all bacteria cause disease. Many bacteria cannot even live at the temperatures found in and on the human body. In this lab, most of the bacteria with which we will be working are non-pathogenic (do not cause disease). However, some of the bacteria are opportunistic; that is, they can cause disease in an ill or injured person. Therefore, treat all bacteria as if they are pathogenic (cause disease).

Laboratory Safety Rules There are specific safety rules that are needed to be followed while working in microbiology lab. These safety rules include :

Laboratory Safety Rules � 1. Wear a lab coat in lab. We will be working with a variety of materials that can cause permanent stains on some fabrics. Also, a lab coat can help protect from accidental contamination by microorganisms � No eating or drinking during lab. Many pathogens spread by ingested food and drink. In addition, food can carry microorganisms that might contaminate laboratory cultures

� Keep long or fluffy hair tied up and out of the way. Hair can contaminate and be contaminated by microbial cultures. �Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water before and after lab. Thorough and frequent hand washing easily and effectively controls the spread of many pathogens.

� Clean the lab bench with disinfectant before and after lab. This helps to prevent contamination of cultures, books, clothing, etc � Keep the lab bench free of unnecessary materials. Don't use the lab bench as a storage area for coats, books, etc. � Do not take cultures from the lab area

� Dispose all contaminated materials in autoclave bags. When in doubt, ask the instructor. � Immediately report all accidents and spills to the instructor. Cover spills with disinfectant-soaked paper towels for at least 15 minutes before disposing them � Read all assigned materials before the lab session. Experiments will go smoother and have greater chances of success when you know what you will be doing ahead of time

o Bacterial loop has to be sterilized by flame before and after use.

� Treat all microbial cultures as if they are pathogens. Better safe than sorry � When in doubt, ask the instructor. The only stupid questions are those that are intended as such.

NOTES � 1. Personal belongings are not to be stored in the laboratory. � 2. You will be assigned to a group consisting of four students and you will work together in a semester long project

Lab requirements � Lab coat � Matches or lighter � Soap � Waterproof permanent marker � Small or medium size towel � Sealable plastic bag � Rubber band � General Microbiology Manual

Lab Equipment

Acquaint yourself with microbiology lab Microscope Staining solutions Dettol Microscopic slides Bunsen burner

Microscope �Used to view very small objects at a magnification of 40 to 100 times

Graduated Cylinder: � Designed to make accurate volume measurements which are always read from the bottom of the curve (meniscus)

Beaker �Used to hold measure and transport liquids

Erlenmeyer Flask � Used to approximately measure the volume various liquids. � Useful for mixing by swirling � Sizes vary.

Petri Dish �Flat disk with a cover used primarily to grow bacteria

Bunsen Burner �To heat substances

Test Tube Rack �Designed tubes to hold test

Forceps Force ps Sterile cups Syringes Wooden tongue depressor and swabs Normal saline

Autoclave Incubator

Laminar flow Hood

Culture Plates or Petri Dishes Plastic Loops and Needles Flaming Nichrome loop

Inoculating or Flame Loop � Used to collect samples from colonies (ex. Bacteria) � Also used to test the spectra of chemicals.

Acquaint yourself with microbiology lab Anaerobic station

Acquaint yourself with microbiology lab Enterotube API 20 E

Acquaint yourself with microbiology lab Liquid media in tubes Solid media in tubes

Acquaint yourself with microbiology lab Different forms of slants

Acquaint yourself with microbiology lab Blood culture bottles

Acquaint yourself with microbiology lab Antibiotic disks

Digital Balance � Used to accurately measure mass. � Only up to 200 g in our labs.

Now Try to Identify all the tools and Equipment around you

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