CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Biology and

Laboratory Rules
Week 2 Lesson 1

Topic covered:
1.2 Safety and Rules in Biology
Laboratory
1.3 Communicating in Biology
1.4 Scientific Investigation in Biology
 1.2 Safety and Rules in Biology Laboratory

Learning outcomes:

1.2.1 Explain self/ personal protective equipment and their functions.

1.2.2 Identify and justify substances that can be disposed into the
sink.
1.2.3 Identify and justify substances that cannot be disposed into the
sink.
1.2.4 Describe methods in managing biological wastes.
1.2.5 Communicate about steps to manage
accidents in a laboratory.
 RECAP YOUR PRIOR KNOWLEDGE ON LAB SAFETY
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 Biology Lab Safety Rules
Be Prepared

Before you enter a biology lab, you should be

prepared for and knowledgeable about any lab
exercises that are to be performed. That means
you should read your lab manual to know
exactly what you will be doing.
 Be Neat
• When working in a biology lab, make sure you
keep your area neat and organized. If you
happen to spill something, ask for assistance
when cleaning it up. Also, remember to clean
your work area and wash your hands when
you are finished.
 Be Careful
• An important biology lab safety rule is to be
careful. You may be working with glass or
sharp objects, so you don't want to handle
them carelessly.
 Wear Proper Clothing
• Accidents do happen in a biology lab.
Some chemicals have the potential to
damage clothing. With that in mind, you
want to make sure that the clothing you
wear is something you could do without
if it becomes damaged. As a precaution,
wearing an apron or lab coat is a good
idea.

• You will also want to wear proper shoes

that can protect your feet in case
something gets broken. Sandals or any
type of open-toed shoes are not
recommended.

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 Be Cautious With Chemicals
• The best way to remain safe when dealing with
chemicals is to assume that any chemical you
handle is dangerous. Be sure you understand what
type of chemicals you are using and how they
should be properly handled.
• If any chemical comes in contact with your skin,
wash immediately with water and inform your lab
instructor. Wear protective eyewear when handling
chemicals, which brings us to the next rule.
 Biology Lab Don'ts

Do Not

• eat or drink in the lab

• taste any chemicals or substances you are working with
• use your mouth for pipetting substances
• handle broken glass with bare hands
• pour chemicals down the drain without permission
• operate lab equipment without permission
• perform your own experiments unless given permission
• leave any heated materials unattended
• place flammable substances near heat
• engage in childish antics such as horseplay or pranks
What is Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE)?
Eye and Face Personal Protection Equipment

• According to the CDC, about 2,000

workers a day experience an eye injury
at work, and chemical burns are a
common cause. Injuries can occur if a
chemical enters the eye from around or
under protective eye equipment, so it's
essential to select the correct safety
glasses or goggles for the job.
 Hand Personal Protection Equipment

• Protective gloves are made from a range of

materials and are designed to protect the
wearer's hands when they need to handle
infectious agents or chemicals.
 Lab Coats
• In general, lab coats protect the skin
from hazardous spills or splashes and
provide a removable barrier.
• Students should not wear lab coats
outside of the laboratory, they also
help prevent the spread of
contamination.
• Ideally, all lab coats should feature
snap buttons for easy removal and fit
employees properly.
 Covered Shoes
Although lab workers should wear closed-toe
shoes, they might also need shoe covers,
particularly if they work with pathogens or
handle hazardous chemicals. Shoe covers help
protect wearers from exposure to airborne
pathogens and contaminated surfaces.
 Methods for managing biological waste
After carrying out an experiment, there are wastes that need to be managed with care
before disposal. Methods for managing different biological wastes according to Standard
Operating Procedures are listed in Table 1.1.
Methods for managing biological waste
 Accidents in the laboratory
Accidents in laboratories can be caused by carelessness, negligence
or lack of skill in carrying out experiments. Here are the steps in
managing accidents in laboratories.
 Practices in a biology laboratory
The biology laboratory is a place for learning and research. However, there
are some general safety rules that must always be practiced by pupils.
 Practices in a biology laboratory
The biology laboratory is a place for learning and research. However, there
are some general safety rules that must always be practiced by pupils.
 Checkpoint 1
• 1. After conducting an experiment, you are given a task
to manage the disposal of Category B biological waste
(non-sharp wastes). Think of the best way so that the
biological waste does not affect the environment.
• 2. An accident has occurred in the laboratory involving
mercury spills. Explain the steps in handling the
mercury spills.
• 3. Chemicals must be handled with care to avoid
unwanted accidents. List steps for proper handling of
chemicals.
 1.3 Communicating in Biology
Learning Outcomes
1.3.1 Communicate by constructing tables
based on experimental data.
1.3.2 Plot a suitable graph based on the data
from an experiment.
 Graph
• The relationship between the manipulated variable and responding variable can be
illustrated in the form of a graph. There are several types of graphs such as line
graphs, bar charts and histograms.
 Bar Chart
• A bar chart presents data using vertical bars
that are not attached to each other.
• A histogram shows the visual distribution of
data and the frequency of a value in a data set.
 Biological drawings
• Biological drawings must be exact to give an
accurate representation of an observed specimen.
Characteristics of biological drawings
• Large and accurate; use a sharp pencil and not a
colour pencil or pen.
• Not shaded artistically.
• Lines drawn must be clear, clean and continuous.
Do not use a ruler to draw the outline of
a specimen.
• Drawings must be labelled. Label lines must point to the correct
structure, no arrowheads, must be straight and not cross each other.
• Drawings must have titles.
• Each structure in the drawing must be placed in the correct position,
and its size should be proportionate to the rest of the structures.
• A plan drawing is a line drawing that shows the outline of a structure.
• A detailed drawing shows the cells in a structure.
• The magnification factor of a drawing must be stated, for example:
 Plane, section and direction
In biology, research and observation of an organism’s structure are done based on the
plane, section and direction. The plane refers to a flat surface of shadow
passing through the body.

• sagittal plane (divides the body into right and

left parts)
• frontal plane (divides the body into frontal
and rear
parts)
• horizontal plane (divides the body into upper
and
lower parts)
 Cross section
Cross section divides the structure into
upper and lower portions horizontally while
longitudinal section divides the structure into
left and right portions
Anatomical drawing
 Exit Task
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