Laboratory Tools: Stirring Substances
Which laboratory tool is typically used for stirring substances in a beaker or flask?
a) Glass rod (stirring rod) b) Pipette c) Burette d) Petri dish
Final answer:
An inoculation loop or stirring rod is the standard tool for stirring substances in a laboratory, not a Petri dish. Petri dishes are used for culturing microorganisms, while graduated cylinders and other glassware like burets and volumetric flasks are for measuring liquids.
Answer:
In a laboratory setting, the tool typically used for stirring substances in a beaker or flask is not a Petri dish but an inoculation loop, magnetic stir bar, or a stirring rod.
Petri dishes are primarily used to culture and observe the growth of microorganisms. They are made out of plastic or glass and can hold growth media, providing an ideal environment for microorganisms to grow. Growth media contain essential nutrients like water, salts, carbon, and amino acids, necessary for the reproduction and survival of microorganisms.
A Bunsen burner is another common piece of laboratory equipment used to sterilize tools through its flame. For volume measurements in experiments, a graduated cylinder, buret, pipette, or volumetric flask may be employed, with each serving a specific purpose in the careful and accurate measuring of liquids. It's important to note that, although Petri dishes can be used in various techniques such as the spread plate method or pour plate method for cell counting, they are not meant for stirring solutions.