Useful chemicals for IB Biology

Solutes & solvents

Every biology laboratory will need a supply of chemicals to support the practical program. Of course, many chemicals can be shared between the chemistry and biology sections.  This list is not exhaustive but provides the basics to give students a variety of experiences in practical work.  Microscale chemistry will help spread the budget but more importantly teach the students about the economy of needs.  "Waste not, want not" is quite appropriate to the sciences too.

Chemicals do need to be stored appropriately for safety reasons.  Volatile solvents should be in vented cupboards while toxic and dangerous chemicals should be in locked cabinets.  Having sliding shelves as in the picture allows for easier and safer access to the containers.  Proper labelling of material, concentration, date made or purchased along with any safety  or hazard symbol is important.

Acid & alkalis

ItemSuggested Use
Acetic acid ( vinegar)enzymes, cells, physiology
Ascorbic acidbiochemistry
Hydrochloric acid HClenzymes
Nitric acid HNO3enzymes
Calcium carbonate CaCO3biochemistry
Potassium hydroxide KOHrespiration
Sodium hydroxide NaOHcells, enzymes

Organic solvents

ItemSuggested Use
Acetoneenzymes, membranes
Ethanolenzymes, cells, physiology
Glycerolenzymes, membranes
Hexanolenzymes, membranes
Propanolenzymes, membranes
Vegetable oils ( olive, sunflower, raps)enzymes, membranes

Organic substances

ItemSuggested Use
Alaninebiochemistry
Cysteinebiochemistry
Glutamic acidbiochemistry
Glycinebiochemistry
Phenylalaninebiochemistry
Albumin (egg white)osmosis, enzymes
Fructosecells, enzymes
Galactosecells, enzymes
Glucosecell, enzymes, respiration
Starchcells, enzymes
Sucrosecells, enzymes

Indicators

ItemSuggested Use
Acid Fuchsincollagen stain
Benedicts solutionreducing sugars ( glucose)
Bicarbonate indicatorHCO3 in solution ( carbon dioxide)
Biuret solutiontesting for proteins
Congo Redactive transport in yeast
Cresol redacid base indicator
Crystal VioletGram stain for bacteria
Eosin Bcell stains
Eosin Ycell stains
Glucose test stripsglucose in solutions
Gram Stainbacteria stain
Hematoxylinnuclear chromatin stain
Iodine solutionstarch test
Litmus paper & solutionacid base indicator
Methyl bluecollagen and connective tissue stain
Methylene blueanimal cell stain, oxidizing agent
pH indicator paperacid base indicator
Phenolphthaleinacid base indicator
Toluidene bluenuclear stain
Universal indicator solutionacid base indicator

Miscellaneous substances

ItemSuggested Use
Agar, basiccell surface area to volume lab with agar cake
ATPbiochemistry
NADbiochemistry, oxidizing agent
Nail polish- cleartranspiration, stomatal count, plant science
Nutrient agarbacterial cultures
Vaselineenzymes, membranes, transpiration, respiration
Visking tubingosmosis, diffusion, membranes
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