Introduction to the BIOL1406 Laboratory This course will introduce you to important techniques and strategies that are routinely used in cell and molecular biology laboratories Lab techniques you will use include spectrophotometry microscopy thin layer and column chromatography gel electrophoresis and recombinant DNA procedures Materials required for BIOL1406 lab Calculator To analyze data collected in lab you need a calculator that can calculate mean percent error of mean standard deviation and linear regression Instructions on how to perform these calculations using a TI 36X calculator are provided in this manual You may use a different calculator provided it can perform all the required calculations If you use a different calculator you are responsible for obtaining the necessary instructions Graph paper Because you will often make scatter diagrams and graphs of your data you need a supply of scientific graph paper Computer You must have access to a computer with a spreadsheet program such as MS Excel You will use the spreadsheet program to construct tables and graphs and to carry out statistical analysis of your data Lab notebook To record lab notes procedures and data you need a lab notebook with quadrille ruled paper During lab all data should be entered directly into your lab notebook Data should never be recorded on separate sheets of paper and then transferred into your notebook at a later time General instructions for keeping a lab notebook and writing a lab report can be found in Appendix A of this manual Check with your instructor for any additional instructions or requirements Protective Equipment You are required to purchase and wear safety goggles in lab Protective gloves will be provided by ACC Mandatory laboratory safety rules for BIOL1406 Modern laboratories are equipped with supplies and equipment that may pose a hazard if used incorrectly Following safety rules paying attention to what you are doing and using common sense will make your experience in this course a safe one Health and safety are paramount values in science classrooms laboratories and field activities You are expected to learn understand and comply with ACC environmental health and safety procedures and agree to follow the ACC science safety policy You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another individual will be immediately dismissed from the day s activity may be withdrawn from the class and or barred from attending future activities Specific safety training will take place before most activities If you are late and miss this training you will not be able to participate in the activity You can read the complete ACC science safety policy at http www2 austincc edu sci safe Introduction Austin Community College BIO 1406 Laboratory Manual 12th ed 2006 1 General laboratory safety rules 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Never eat or drink in the lab Do not bring food or drinks into the lab Do not come into contact with another s body fluids blood saliva urine Wash your hands immediately after handling animals body fluids and chemical solutions Wear safety glasses or goggles and gloves when handling chemicals or body fluids Keep book bags and other personal items off the tables and floor during lab put them on the counter or empty chairs so that they are out of the way Do not wear loose or flowing clothing or dangling jewelry in the laboratory Pin up long hair or confine it under a hat Some of the substances used in the lab may stain or damage clothing You may wish to wear a lab coat or apron for protection Do not wear sandals of open toe shoes Leather shoes are preferred Report broken glass immediately to your instructor and always dispose of broken glass in its designated container Clean up your work stations and wash your hands before leaving the lab room General safety procedures 1 Each student should know where the location and proper use of each of the following protective gloves shower eyewash stations disinfectant spray bottles biohazard bags broken glass disposal boxes fire extinguishers first aid kit and hazardous material spill cleanup kits 2 If you have any doubt about a proper safety procedure in a specific instance ask your instructor Handling chemicals 1 Wear gloves and goggles when handling potentially hazardous chemicals Avoid wearing contact lenses in the laboratory 2 Read all labels completely before handling a chemical special attention to warning labels 3 Open volatile organic solvents only in a fume hood 4 Close all containers immediately after use 5 Always handle chemicals with care to avoid spills 6 Report any spills of a potentially hazardous chemical immediately to your instructor 7 Follow your instructor s directions on how and when to mix chemicals 8 Don t taste chemicals or smell fumes directly 9 Don t use your mouth to pull liquid into a pipette 10 Use clean glassware to prevent contamination 11 Don t pour unused chemicals back into storage containers where it may contaminate the rest of the reagent Dispose of unused chemicals in proper waste containers 12 Do not flush chemicals or cleanup materials down the drain without instructor s consent 13 Consult with your doctor about any special health conditions that you may have asthma allergies pregnancy etc 14 Clean up work areas thoroughly and wash hands prior to leaving the laboratory Handling biohazards 1 When working with bacteria always treat the bacteria as if it had the potential to cause disease prevent spills and avoid direct contact especially on open sores 2 Wear gloves and goggles when working with biohazards 3 Dispose of all potentially contaminated objects in a biohazard bag a container filled with a bleach solution or as described by your instructor 4 Spray and wipe the work areas with 10 chlorine bleach solution before and after lab 5 Wash hands immediately after handling a biohazard Introduction Austin Community College BIO 1406 Laboratory Manual 12th ed 2006 2 Handling mechanical hazards 1 2 3 4 Never touch a rapidly moving machine such as a centrifuge while it is moving Distribute weights evenly in a centrifuge to prevent vibrations and breakage Do not leave a running centrifuge unsupervised If the centrifuge is vibrating excessively or walking across the tabletop turn it off immediately Handling electrical hazards 1 Do not use equipment that has any frayed or damaged wiring or plugs Report any