In this article we will discuss about the directions for working in a laboratory.
1. Bring complete practical note-book; pencils of “HB” and “B”; pencil eraser and pencil sharpener or blade and sand-paper daily.
2. Keep your instruments, practical notebook and your seat clean, tidy and well arranged.
3. All your instruments should be sharp and according to the requirements.
4. Never rub pencils, to sharpen point, on table top or floor, because it spoils their show.
5. Never develop habit of taking things from or lending things to your fellow inside the laboratory. Come prepared from home with every requirement of the day.
6. Before starting work listen the instructions given by your-teacher.
7. Develop habit of removing your difficulties from your teacher directly. Never ask your neighbour for anything after you have once entered the laboratory.
8. Maintain silence in laboratory.
9. Clean your seat and wash instruments before you leave the laboratory.
10. While doing dissection put every waste in the sink. Don’t drop anything on table’s top or on floor.
11. While studying microscopically preparations never disturb the slide once fixed under microscope by your-teacher.
12. While studying museum specimens take following cares:
i. First study the characters or peculiarities of that particular animal you wish to draw.
ii. See and find out in the specimen before you all those characters and peculiarities which you have studied.
iii. Draw the view in which maximum structures are visible.
iv. Shading should be avoided in your drawing.
v. Compare your drawing from the drawing of this book for necessary details, corrections and labelling.
vi. While drawing, special attention should be given to the length and width proportions of the animal.
vii. Label your drawing with the help of book and put classification of the animal.
13. Put date on the left hand corner of- the page of note-book and details of the work in the top centre.
14. While making permanent slides (mounting) take following precautions:
i. Never keep your mounting material in a grade or reagent for more or less time than required.
ii. In absolute alcohol put your material for double the time than prescribed.
iii. After using Eosin, never wash with 70% alcohol, instead dip in 90% alcohol but don’t leave even in it for longer time.
iv. Always put your material covered in any grade or stain.
v. Always use brush and never a force for holding the material.
vi. After taking material out into next reagent change the used reagents.
15. When you are not using the microscope, always keep it covered with its cover or with a towel.
16. While looking to a slide, never move the coarse adjustment too much for just clearing the image. Instead, use fine focus adjustment.
17. Use both eyes alternately while using a microscope.
18. Never tilt a microscope.
19. Have patience while doing dissection, drawing museum or studying permanent slides. Never be impatient or in hurry.