This document provides an overview of basic laboratory equipment used in scientific experiments. It describes various pieces of equipment such as beakers, Bunsen burners, cover slips, dissecting tools, microscopes, petri dishes, pipettes, rulers, safety goggles, test tubes, balances, flasks and more; and briefly explains the purpose or proper use of each item. The goal is to familiarize readers with common laboratory tools and equipment.

1. Introduction toIntroduction to
Scientific EquipmentScientific Equipment
Basic Laboratory Equipment

2. BeakerBeaker
 Used to hold and transfer liquidsUsed to hold and transfer liquids
 Do not measure with a beakerDo not measure with a beaker

3. Bunsen BurnerBunsen Burner
 Used for heating and forUsed for heating and for
microbiologymicrobiology

4. Cover SlipCover Slip
 Covers and holds a specimen in placeCovers and holds a specimen in place
on a slideon a slide

5. Dissecting PinsDissecting Pins
 Holds a specimen in place duringHolds a specimen in place during
dissectionsdissections

6. Dissecting ScissorsDissecting Scissors
 Used for cutting specimens duringUsed for cutting specimens during
dissectionsdissections

7. Dissecting TrayDissecting Tray
 Container for a specimen duringContainer for a specimen during
dissectionsdissections

8. Medicine DropperMedicine Dropper
 Used to transfer small quantities ofUsed to transfer small quantities of
liquidliquid

9. ForcepsForceps
 Common folk call them “tweezers”Common folk call them “tweezers”
 Used to hold or pick up small objectsUsed to hold or pick up small objects

10. FunnelFunnel
 Used to transfer liquids through aUsed to transfer liquids through a
small openingsmall opening

11. Graduated cylinderGraduated cylinder
 Used to measure volumeUsed to measure volume

12. Hand LensHand Lens
 Magnify objects using low powerMagnify objects using low power
 Not for microscopic objectsNot for microscopic objects

13. MicroscopesMicroscopes
Compound LightCompound Light
Microscope (CLM)Microscope (CLM)
 Used to magnifyUsed to magnify
specimens on slides underspecimens on slides under
high powers ofhigh powers of
magnification.magnification.
StereoscopicStereoscopic
Microscope (SM)Microscope (SM)
 Used to magnify largerUsed to magnify larger
specimens in plates orspecimens in plates or
trays under low powertrays under low power
magnification.magnification.
Produce magnified images of specimens

14. Petri DishPetri Dish
 Used to grow microbial culturesUsed to grow microbial cultures
 Used to hold specimensUsed to hold specimens

15. PipettePipette
 Used to measure and dispense smallUsed to measure and dispense small
quantities of liquidquantities of liquid
Disposable
Pipette
Micro-pipette

16. ProbeProbe
 Used to explore specimens duringUsed to explore specimens during
dissectionsdissections

17. Metric RulerMetric Ruler
 Used to measure length using SIUsed to measure length using SI
unitsunits

18. GogglesGoggles
 Protects a person’s eyes duringProtects a person’s eyes during
laboratory experimentslaboratory experiments

19. ScalpelScalpel
 Used to make precise cuts duringUsed to make precise cuts during
dissectionsdissections

20. Test TubeTest Tube
 Container for small samplesContainer for small samples
 Used to grow cultures/specimensUsed to grow cultures/specimens

21. Test Tube RackTest Tube Rack
 Used to hold test tubes uprightUsed to hold test tubes upright

22. ThermometerThermometer
 Used to measure temperatureUsed to measure temperature

23. Triple-Beam BalanceTriple-Beam Balance
 Used to measure massUsed to measure mass

24. Test Tube BrushTest Tube Brush
 Used to clean test tubesUsed to clean test tubes

25. Erlenmeyer FlaskErlenmeyer Flask
 Used to hold, measure, and mixUsed to hold, measure, and mix
liquidsliquids

26. Test Tube ClampTest Tube Clamp
 Used to hold test tubes duringUsed to hold test tubes during
heatingheating
 Always point the opened end of aAlways point the opened end of a
test tube away from other people!test tube away from other people!

27. Dropper BottleDropper Bottle
 Hold and dispense liquid in dropsHold and dispense liquid in drops

28. Glass SlideGlass Slide
 Platform to hold/mount a specimenPlatform to hold/mount a specimen

29. Hot MittHot Mitt
 To pick up, move, or carry hotTo pick up, move, or carry hot
glasswareglassware

30. Stirring RodStirring Rod
 Used to agitate or stir mixturesUsed to agitate or stir mixtures

31. Weighing TrayWeighing Tray
 Used to hold or carry solid specimensUsed to hold or carry solid specimens
or samplesor samples