1.1. Technological products used in biology
Biological studies use various technological products. Among these products hereafter we will see some of them. Microscope A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Microscopy is the science of investigating small objects and structures using such an instrument. Microscopic means invisible to the eye unless aided by a microscope. Binocular Binoculars or field glasses are two telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes (binocular vision) when viewing distant objects. Most are sized to be held using both hands. \
Thermometer
A thermometer is a device that measures temperature or a temperature gradient. A thermometer has two important elements: (1) a temperature sensor in which some change occurs with a change in temperature; and (2) some means of converting this change into a numerical value. Thermometers are widely used in technology and industry to monitor processes, in meteorology, in medicine, and in scientific research. Stethoscope
The stethoscope is an acoustic medical device for auscultation, or listening to the internal sounds of an animal or human body. It typically has a small disc-shaped resonator that is placed against the chest, and two tubes connected to earpieces. It is often used to listen to lung and heart sounds. It is also used to listen to intestines and blood flow in arteries and veins. In combination with a sphygmomanometer, it is commonly used for measurements of blood pressure. Sphygmomanometer
A sphygmomanometer, also known as a blood pressure meter, blood pressure monitor, or blood pressure gauge, is a device used to measure blood pressure, composed of an inflatable cuff to collapse and then release the artery under the cuff in a controlled manner, and a mercury or mechanical manometer to measure the pressure. It is always used in conjunction with a means to determine at what pressure blood flow is just starting, and at what pressure it is unimpeded. Manual sphygmomanometers are used in conjunction with a stethoscope. Digital sphygmomanometer manual sphygmomanometer Incubator
Incubator is a device used to grow and maintain microbiological cultures or cell cultures. The incubator maintains optimal temperature, humidity and other conditions such as the CO (CO2) and oxygen content of the atmosphere inside. Incubators are essential for a lot of experimental work in cell biology, microbiology and molecular biology and are used to culture both bacterial as well as eukaryotic cells. Refrigerator
A refrigerator (colloquially fridge) consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump (mechanical, electronic or chemical) that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the room. Refrigeration is an essential food storage. The lower temperature lowers the reproduction rate of bacteria, so the refrigerator reduces the rate of spoilage. Balance A weighing scale (or weighing balance) is a device to measure weight or mass. These are also known as mass scales, weight scales, mass balance, weight balance, or simply scale, balance, or balance scale. Traditional balance Digital balance Centrifuge A centrifuge is a piece of equipment that puts an object in rotation around a fixed axis (spins it in a circle), applying a force perpendicular to the axis of spin (outward) that can be very strong. The centrifuge works using the sedimentation principle, where the centrifugal acceleration causes denser substances and particles to move outward in the radial direction. At the same time, objects that are less dense are displaced and move to the center. In a laboratory centrifuge that uses sample tubes, the radial acceleration causes denser particles to settle to the bottom of the tube, while low-density substances rise to the top. 1.2. Observing distant object using binocular
Binoculars or field glasses are two telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes (binocular vision) when viewing distant objects. Most are sized to be held using both hands.
Procedure To demonstrate the use of binocular go to field and try to point a stationary object at a far distance.
Then raise your binocular without taking your eyes off the object. Use the focus knob to make the object clear.
Observation As you can observe the object s magnified and clears when you use the binocular.
Therefore, binocular is an important instrument to make an observation of distant objects. 1.3. Measuring temperature using thermometer
A thermometer is a device that measures temperature or a temperature gradient. Following we will see how thermometer is used to measure temperature.
Using a thermometer to check your temperature can help you manage an illness. A rise in your temperature is usually caused by an infection.
Normal body temperature is about 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or 37 degrees Celsius (°C). Your temperature often varies from 1 to 2 °F or ½ to 1 °C. Your temperature is usually lower in the morning and increases during the day. It reaches its high in the late afternoon or evening.
Procedure 1. Wash your hands with soap and warm water.
2. Use a clean thermometer, one that has been washed in cold water, cleaned with rubbing alcohol, and then rinsed to remove the alcohol.
3. Do not eat or drink anything for at least 5 minutes before you take your temperature. You should keep your mouth closed during this time.
4. Place the thermometer tip under the tongue.
5. Hold the thermometer in the same spot for about 40 seconds.
6. Readings will continue to increase and the F (or C) symbol will flash during measurement.
7. Usually, the thermometer will make a beeping noise when the final reading is done. Observation The reading shows 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) or 37 degrees Celsius (°C) indicating your body temperature is normal. Call your health provider if you have a temperature of 100.4° F (38° C) or higher. This could be a sign of infection and should be treated right away.
Therefore using a thermometer you can monitor your body temperature at home.
1.4. Examining food items kept at different incubation conditions Foods can be stored in different kinds of condition. The condition we choose to stor the food leads to different kinds of outcomes. To see this we need the following materials,
Three pieces of meat
Two small plastic containers Refrigerator Procedure Place one pieces of meat in each container
Place the one container in refrigerator and the other in room
Each day smell both of them and return them to their place.
Continue doing this until one of them smell bad
Observation As you can note the container which is placed in the room placed bad first, indicating the food inside go bad. The one which is placed in the refrigerator doesn’t go bad because the temperature in the refrigerator is very low which cannot support bacteria growth a as a result the chance of spoilage is low in the refrigerator.
