Biology Lab Equipment Terms

Pipet

Used to transport small non exact amounts of liquid from one place to another

Beaker

Most versatile glassware in the lab and can be used for just about anything. The volume graduations on beakers should be used only for "ballpark" estimates.

Evaporating Dish

This dish is used to recover dissolved solids by evaporation. While it can be heated, it should not be used for "strong" heating.

Support Ring

When attached to the ring stand, this iron ring is used to support glassware above the lab table.

Erlenmeyer flask

used to contain reaction solutions

graduated cylinder

used to make accurate measurements of liquid volumes. The bumper ring on larger cylinders is to prevent breakage if tipped over. Keep it near the top.

Watch Glass

Can be used like an evaporating dish for very small amounts of liquid. It can also be used to cover beakers.

Utility Clamp

When attached to the ring stand, this clamp is used to hold a large test tube or Florance flask above the lab table.

Crucible and Cover

used as a container when something requires strong heating

crucible tongs

used to pick up crucibles and crucible cover only

wire gauze

used as a support beaker when placed across a support ring

striker

used to light a lab burner. NOT a toy noisemaker during lab.

mortar and pestle

used to grind solids into powers

test tube holder

used to hold test tubes for short periods of "gentle" heating

filter funnel

When lined with filter paper, used to filter suspended solids from a liquid

wash bottle

Used for rinsing solids out of a container when filtering.

chemical spoon or spatula

used to transfer solids from their original container to a scale for weighing