Safety in the Life Sciences
Scientists and researchers working in labs follow safety protocols to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.
For example, consider the deformed frog. If a chemical causes those deformities, it’s likely something called a teratogen. Scientists studying cases like this wear protective gear, like gloves and masks, to stay safe.
However, scientists work with several chemicals and samples, and not all of them are dangerous. So, how do they spot these dangers? They look for lab safety symbols like flames, skulls, drips, or spiky circles. Each one gives an important warning.
For instance, the flame and explosion symbols tell you to watch for fire and blasts. A skull and crossbones mean poison, while a dripping liquid warns of corrosive substances that can damage your clothes and burn through your skin.
The biohazard symbol, shaped like a spiky circle warns about bacteria or viruses that could spread disease.
Even in your school lab, the teacher reminds you to follow lab safety rules, such as tying back long hair, wearing closed-toe shoes, and handling scissors or chemicals carefully to make science safe and fun.
Safety in Life Sciences
Safety is one of the most important aspects of working in the life sciences. Whether you're conducting an experiment in the lab, studying plants and animals outdoors, or handling biological materials, following safety rules helps protect you, your classmates, and the environment. Adhering to these rules allows us to conduct science safely without accidents, contamination, or health risks.
Science and Engineering Practices (SEP - Planning and Carrying Out Investigations)
When scientists conduct experiments, they must carefully plan and follow precise steps to obtain accurate results. You will also learn how to design experiments, test different factors, and collect evidence to support your conclusions.
Activity:
Think about how germs spread and why cleaning surfaces is important. In this experiment, you will test different surfaces to observe bacterial growth over time.
- Choose different surfaces to test (e.g., clean hands, dirty hands, or a wiped-down desk).
- Swab each surface and press the swab onto a petri dish containing a nutrient medium.
- Label your samples and let them sit for a few days.
- Observe and compare bacterial growth in each dish.
This activity demonstrates the importance of handwashing and surface cleaning. What do your results reveal about maintaining safety in a science lab?
Crosscutting Concept (CCC - Cause and Effect)
In science, every action has a consequence. The way we handle materials can significantly impact outcomes.
- Cause: If Proper cleaning procedures are not followed, Bacteria can spread and contaminate results.
- Effect: For example, if lab equipment is not sterilized before an experiment, unwanted bacteria may be introduced, altering results. Contaminated samples can lead to incorrect data, making experiments unreliable.
Consider these questions:
- How do safety rules help scientists obtain accurate results?
- What could happen if scientists did not follow safety protocols in real-world research?
You protect yourself, your classmates, and the environment by following safety rules. Learning and practicing safety habits enables you to conduct better experiments and become a responsible scientist.
Scientists and researchers working in labs follow safety protocols to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.
For example, consider the deformed frog. If a chemical causes those deformities, it’s likely something called a teratogen. Scientists studying cases like this wear protective gear, like gloves and masks, to stay safe.
However, scientists work with several chemicals and samples, and not all of them are dangerous. So, how do they spot these dangers? They look for lab safety symbols like flames, skulls, drips, or spiky circles. Each one gives an important warning.
For instance, the flame and explosion symbols tell you to watch for fire and blasts. A skull and crossbones mean poison, while a dripping liquid warns of corrosive substances that can damage your clothes and burn through your skin.
The biohazard symbol, shaped like a spiky circle warns about bacteria or viruses that could spread disease.
Even in your school lab, the teacher reminds you to follow lab safety rules, such as tying back long hair, wearing closed-toe shoes, and handling scissors or chemicals carefully to make science safe and fun.
Scientists and researchers working in labs follow safety protocols to keep themselves and their coworkers safe.
For example, consider the deformed frog. If a chemical causes those deformities, it’s likely something called a teratogen. Scientists studying cases like this wear protective gear, like gloves and masks, to stay safe.
However, scientists work with several chemicals and samples, and not all of them are dangerous. So, how do they spot these dangers? They look for lab safety symbols like flames, skulls, drips, or spiky circles. Each one gives an important warning.
For instance, the flame and explosion symbols tell you to watch for fire and blasts. A skull and crossbones mean poison, while a dripping liquid warns of corrosive substances that can damage your clothes and burn through your skin.
The biohazard symbol, shaped like a spiky circle warns about bacteria or viruses that could spread disease.
Even in your school lab, the teacher reminds you to follow lab safety rules, such as tying back long hair, wearing closed-toe shoes, and handling scissors or chemicals carefully to make science safe and fun.
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