What are test tubes? - Research & Development World (2024)

A test tube, also known as a sample tube, is a clear cylindrical vessel with a closed bottom and an open top. Test tubes are very common in laboratory testing and experimentation. The exact design of test tubes depends on their intended use. Uses for test tubes include storing samples on the bench, refrigerator or freezer, performing various tests, microbial culture, and centrifugation. Configurations include:

  • Typical 10 to 20 mm in diameter and 50 to 200 mm in length
  • Glass or plastic material
  • Round-bottom, flat-bottom or conical-base.
  • Rimmed or rimless.
  • Screw top, plain top or fitted with ground glass sockets suitable for stoppers or push-on caps.
  • Thin-walled, medium-walled or thick-walled
  • Graduated walls for measurement

When most people think of a test tube, the chemistry test tubes they used in school will probably come to mind. Typical chemistry test tubes are made from glass with the cylinder closed at the bottom to form a hemisphere, and the edges of the open top rolled over. The use of low thermal-expansion glass enables these test tubes to withstand rapid heating to several hundred degrees Celsius. This allows samples to be headed over a Bunsen burner. The hemispherical base facilitates cleaning while the rolled edge at the top facilitates pouring. Test tube racks are used to hold the test tubes in a vertical orientation.

In biology and biomedical sciences, disposable plastic tubes with flat bases are more commonly used. In biology, culture tubes are used to contain living samples such as molds and bacteria. These culture tubes are generally fitted with a lid and they may be stored in a horizontal orientation to increase the surface area of the sample.

In biomedical sciences, vacutainers are used to draw a set volume of liquid such as blood. They are supplied in a sterile condition with the air evacuated from their interior and a color-coded rubber stopper sealing the top to preserve the vacuum. Vacutainers are used with a special double ended needle, one end of which is inserted into the patient and the other through end through the stopper. The sample then naturally expands to fill the vacuum

What are test tubes? - Research & Development World (2024)

FAQs

What are test tubes? - Research & Development World? ›

A test tube is a clear glass or plastic container that is much longer than it is wide, commonly has a U-shaped bottom, and has an open top. Test tubes are used to hold, mix, and heat chemical experiments. They are used as homes for microorganisms when people want to culture (grow) them.

What is test tube research? ›

Details. 'In vitro' (meaning 'in glass') studies are where scientists investigate chemicals, microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) or tissue (e.g. skin cells in isolation) in test tubes or petri dishes in a lab. For example, a researcher might want to examine the effect that a potential new medicine has on cancer cells.

What are test tubes used for definition? ›

What is the use of a test tube? Test tubes are very important laboratory tools in the biological, chemical, and medical sciences. In general, they are used to mix chemicals, hold liquids, heat liquids, grow bacteria, and collect or store bodily fluids, like blood and sem*n.

What is the purpose of the test tube in an experiment? ›

Test tubes are widely used by chemists to hold, mix, or heat small quantities of solid or liquid chemicals, especially for qualitative experiments and assays. Their round bottom and straight sides minimize mass loss when pouring, make them easier to clean, and allow convenient monitoring of the contents.

What are the three types of test tubes found in a lab? ›

These blood test tubes have different types based on their function or constituents present inside the tubes.
  • 1.) EDTA Tube (Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid) ...
  • 2.) Serum Tube (Serum Separating Tube) ...
  • 3.) Coagulation Tube/ Sodium Citrate Tube. ...
  • 4.) Heparin Tube Tests. ...
  • 5.) Sodium Fluoride Tube. ...
  • 6.) ESR Tube.

What is the benefit of test tube? ›

Test tubes are widely used by chemists to handle chemicals, especially for qualitative experiments and assays. Their spherical bottom and vertical sides reduce mass loss when pouring, make them easier to wash out, and allow convenient monitoring of the contents.

What is test tube technology? ›

Test tube baby is a term that refers to a child that is conceived outside the women's body by a scientific process known as In-Vitro fertilization or IVF treatment.

How to use test tubes? ›

Using a Test Tube

In order to "stir" substances inside of a test tube, hold the tube gently but firmly between the thumb and forefinger of one hand and gently "thump" the bottom of the tube with the middle and forefiinger of the other hand. Be careful not to slosh the contents out of the tube.

Why are test tubes good? ›

An essential piece of lab equipment, the test tube can be used in a huge vareity of experiments. The borosilicate glass range of boiling tubes provides excellent temperature durability. They're particularly good for distributing heat evenly while used over a bunsen burner.

What is a test tube holder used for in science? ›

A test tube holder is used to hold test tubes. It is used for holding a test tube in place when the tube is hot or should not be touched. For example, a test tube holder can be used to hold a test tube while it is being heated.

What are the benefits of sample testing tubes? ›

Benefits of Popular Blood Collection Tubes
  • Blood Collection Tubes Prevents Contact With Infection. ...
  • These Tubes Prevent The Blood Samples From Getting Contaminated. ...
  • These Tubes Have An Accurate Scale. ...
  • Vacuum Tubes Can Be Used With A Variety Of Analyzers. ...
  • The Tubes Are Environment-friendly.
Feb 6, 2024

What is another name for a test tube? ›

What is another word for test-tube?
vialvessel
repositorycase
boxcanister
flaconflasket
cartridgecasing
52 more rows

How much does a test tube cost? ›

Test tubes are made available in the market from Rs 5 per piece onwards.

What is a test tube commonly used for? ›

Test tubes are used to hold, mix, and heat chemical experiments. They are used as homes for microorganisms when people want to culture (grow) them. They are also used as collections devices for things like blood samples.

Why is it important for the test tube to be sealed? ›

Test tubes and flasks need, on the one hand to be closed to prevent drying out and infection, while on the other hand a change of gases with the' outside air' must be possible to avoid a shortage of O2 and to pre- vent an accumulation of gases produced, such as CO2 and ethylene.

What test tube is most commonly used in clinical chemistry? ›

In general, serum samples (red top tubes) are preferred for chemistry testing. This is because our chemistry reference intervals are based on serum not plasma. In general, there is little difference between serum and plasma, except for certain analytes.

What is a test tube stand used for? ›

Test tube stand or rack is used to hold tubes in upright and aligned position, for easy handling of tubes, and to prevent breakage or spillage. It is an essentialtool in any chemistry or biology lab.

What is the difference between test tube and in vitro? ›

There is no difference between IVF and test tube baby. The term test tube baby is a non-medical term used decades ago while referring to IVF or In-Vitro Fertilisation. The term test tube baby came into being because of the general idea that an embryo is formed in a test tube instead of the woman's fallopian tube.

What is a disadvantage of test tube studies? ›

Limited Volume: Test tubes have smaller capacities compared to flasks, which can be a drawback when larger reaction volumes are required. It may be challenging to scale up reactions or conduct certain experiments that demand larger amounts of reagents or samples.

What is the test tube treatment? ›

What is IVF (Test Tube Baby) Process ?
  1. Definition. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure of insemination wherein an egg is blended with sperm outside the entire body, in vitro. ...
  2. Procedure. ...
  3. Ovarian hyperstimulation. ...
  4. Last maturation inception. ...
  5. Egg retrieval. ...
  6. Egg as well as sperm planning. ...
  7. Co-incubation. ...
  8. Embryo culture.
Jun 8, 2023

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