1

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA SANGATHAN

BENCHMARKING OF BIOLOGY LABORATORY

Scientific principles and laws do not lie on the surface of

nature. They are hidden and must be wrested from nature by an
active and elaborate technique of inquiry.
John Dewey

NEED FOR A BIOLOGY LAB IN A VIDYALAYA

A Biology Lab is a resource site for biology science teachers and students. A well equipped Biology
lab with traditional as well as latest technological devices is an important part of every school.
Biology Lab is a place where different types of experiments and activities concerning all the
disciplines of life sciences take place. Therefore biology lab should have comprehensive range of
latest lab equipments and other facilities where students can work comfortably with maximum
interest pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge.
Details of different types of basic physical facilities, equipments, usability/usage, lists of
consumable and nonconsumable items with their fixed life ,and safety rules essential for a senior
secondary level Biology Lab are given below-

PHYSICAL FACILITIES
S.no Items/Facility
1.

Standard room
size /Dimension

2.

Store

3.

Teachers room

4.

Light

5.

Design of students
table

6.

Lab
stools/stackable
chairs
Floor

7.

8.

Teacher table and

chair

9.

Power supply

10.
11.
12.

Water supply
Fire Extinguisher
Exhauts and
ventilators
White boards

13.

Specification
*Lab size-36.5ft.x20ft with capacity to accommodate a group of
25studentsin a practical class or as specified by kvs/cbse for classes xi
& xii,entrance hydrolytic door.
Must have sufficient no. Of almirahs as per plan of the lab and no. Of
students .
For biology department teacher to study and keep records and books
well equipped with almirah and furniture
Laboratory must receive ample day light in order to make the
observation etc. Of the materials easily visible especially needed for
light view microscope.
Must be along the 3 sides of lab(leaving space in the centre for
lectures/use of lcd projector ). Worktop: acid proof anticorrosive
surface. To resist strong acid ,alkali scratch fading ageing high
temperature stain resistant free from solvent and non-toxic. Height
to be comfortable to manage the microscope. Attached with small
cupboard with easily cleanable sinks and water supply. Ample space
must be free for students to move. Proper drainage with covered
dustbins, proper electric points.
Lab stools atleast 25 Stackable seminar chairs
should be of suitable height to provide ample leg space under the
table and should have broad leg area for stability.
Floor with non-skid tiling resist strong acid and alkali,but also resist
scratch, fading, ageing, and strain resistant. It is free from solvent and
non-toxic.
These must be slightly higherin height than routine school furniture
for better monitoring and demonstrations. U shaped/straight .
Worktop:marble plate and ceramic plate not only resist strong acid
and alkali but also resist starch,fading, ageing, high
temperature(below1200c) and stain resistant. Attached with drawers
and on both sides to keep teaching materials such aschalks, markers,
dusters, cds etc.cupboard on both sides with easily cleanable sinks
and water supply. Proper drainage with covered dustbins below the
table with proper electric points, fitted with water supply.
Regular power supply with sufficient no. Of power points around
each table for viewing electricity operated microscopes
*separate power supply for fans and tubelights/equipment.
Lab must have atleast four outlets and four wash basins.
At least one meant for all types of fires.
Exhaust-minimum 2which can be increased as per volume of lab
Ventilators-3 of size 1.5ftx3ft.for maximum light.
Magnetic white boards located at suitable height to be easily visible
By the students.

14.

Mini subject
library

15.

Display boards
(covered)

16.

First aid kit

Must be maintained so that students may refer to the books of their

taste. Must include reference books, generals, magazines on biology
notices of varios olympiads.
Minimum two in number. One fixed outside the lab to display articles
related to biology and other fixed inside the lab to display
information related to practicals the number can be increased
depending on availability.
A first aid kit with burnol mild antiseptic cream.

EQUIPMENT
S.No

Item / Facility

Specification /Usage

Apparatus

Personal computer

LCD Projector

InteractiveBoard/visualiser

Must have sufficient number of units as per the

C.B.S.E syllabus of
10 + 2 practicals /
activities/demo experiments, so that each student
gets his/her independent set except in case of
museum specimens and permanent slides . Single
units may be procured for demonstration.
Should be of latest configuration, preferably with
internet connection and a printer.
Suitably positioned so that the projection is visible
to all and easy to manage by the teacher.
1

Refrigerator

1 for temperature based experiments

6
7

Lab museum/display
cabinets
Human torso

Human skeleton

Laboratory must have lab museum with displayed

stuffed animals and cabinets with specimens.
Human torso with detachable body organs in
plastic show case
1 in show case

Garden

10

Display boards

11

Aquarium

12

NCERT kits/ CDs/Books

1 small garden, well equipped with plants to study,

to collect soil samples, should be near to the lab or
at approachable distance.
To display safety in lab, plan and execution of
practical work,
1 outside the lab in proper security to study
aquatic life and food chain.
CBSE based

13

Microwave
oven/Incubators
Grinder/Hand Blender

For conducting experiments requiring heating/

Maintenance of temperature.
For experiments which need grinding.

14

USABILITY/USAGE
S.NO
1

ITEM /FACILITY
Practicals

SPECIFICATIONS
The syllabi allocated should be divided judiciously
from July to 15th February for classes XI and from
April to 15th December for class XII keeping in
mind the vacations, term exams, half yearly,
holidays and breaks etc.

Conduct of projects

Projects must emphasize creativity and

originality. These must supplement the syllabi
but must be slightly above the syllabi. A list of
projects must be pre planned judiciously and
can be administered either individually or in
groups.
Students need to be guided time to time in
completion of the work. One project in one
subject for one session should be preferred.

Demonstrations

The syllabi should be supplemented with

demonstrations/activities. Videos available on
www.youtube.com can also give additional edge
to your teaching.

Workshops/ Seminars

Workshops/ seminars conducted in the school.

Science exhibition

Vidyalaya level, cluster level, regional level,

national level.

Public demonstrations

Once in a week in morning assembly, alternate

physics, chemistry and biology.

KEEPING YOUR LAB FUNCTIONAL

S.NO

ITEM/ FACILITY

UP KEEPING

Maintenance of records

Display of experiments to be done class wise.

Maintenance of records of experiments
conducted month wise, student attendance class
wise time table of practical periods.

Maintenance of
equipment

The equipment must be maintained functional

and necessary repair work whenever needed
must be carried out periodically. The
microscopes and other equipment should be
checked periodically.

Fire extinguisher

Must be refilled every year and pressure gauge

should be checked periodically.

Electrical maintenance

Power points should be checked for any naked

wires, non-functionality, switch failure etc. check
the tube lights and exhaust fans regularly.

Shock verification

Must be regularly done at the year end to have a

check on articles.

Condemnation

The equipment that becomes non-functional due

to routine wear and tear with time should be
condemned yearly.

Procurement

The equipment condemned / needed as per

changes in syllabus must be procured
immediately.

LIST OF CONSUMABLE ARTICLES REQUIRED IN BIOLOGY LAB

S NO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45

NAME OF THE ARTICLE

Formalin
Formaldehyde
Acetocarmine stain
Safranine
Methylene Blue
Leishmans stain
Haemotaxylin stain
Iodine stain
Hydrolchloric acid
Glacial acetic acid
Nitric acid
Benedicts reagent
Fehling solution no1,2
Biuret solution
Millons reagent
Sucrose
Boric acid
Potassium nitrate
Magnesium sulphate
Glycerine
Soluble starch
Sodium chloride
Distilled water
pH tablets /paper
Neutral Litmus solution
Universal Indicator
Vaseline
Diphenylamine solution
Ammonium chloride
Ammonium hydroxide
Methanol
Carbon tetrachloride
Acetone
Petroleum ether
Ethanol
Calcium carbonate
Agar
Yeast
Sodium bicarbonate
Eosine
Phenolphthalein
Benzene
Urea
Roberts Solution
Sulphosalycylic acid

SPECIFICATIONS
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH
SRL/MERCK/BDH

LIST OF NON CONSUMABLE ARTICLES WITH PROPOSED LIFE

S.NO

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
1
2

NAME OF THE NON CONSUMABLE

ARTICLE
Preserved Specimen Plastic Mounted
Or Embedded
Liver Wort
Moss
Pinus
Dryopteris
Lichen
Mushroom
Lilliaceae Plant
Bryophyllum
Water hyacinth
Hydrilla
Opuntia
Agave
Utricularia
Pisum Sativum
Lathyrus
Prassiflora
Ascaris
Earthworm
Prawn
Snail
Starfish
Rohu
Frog
Liverfluke
Bat
Scoliodon
Lifehistory Of
Anophelese/Culex/Silkmoth
Development stages of cockroach
Lifehistory Of Butterfly/Honey Bee
Development Stages Of Frog
Modifications Of Root/Stem/Leaf
All Inflorescences
Tapeworm
Octopus
Millipede
Pearl oyster
Sea horse
Lizard
Permanent slides of
Bacteria
Paramecium

EXISTING LIFE IN
YEARS

PROPOSED LIFE IN
YEARS

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Euglena
Chlamydomonas
Volvox
Entamoeba
Budding Of Yeast
Rhizopus
Spirogyra
Oscillatoria
Epidermal peel with stomatas
Parenchyma
/Collenchymas/Scelerenchyma
Xylem/phloem
Vessels
T.s.dicot root/stem/leaf
T.s.monocot root/stem/leaf
Pollen germination
Pollen germination on stigma
T.s. Testis of any mammal
T.s.ovary f any mammal
T.s.blastula of any mammal
T.s.morula/gastrula of any mammal
Stages of mitosis
Stages of meiosis in onion bud
Cardiac muscles/striated
muscles/smooth muscles
W.m. Of nerve cell
T.s.bonet.s.cartilage
Squamous epithelium
Wm.hydra
Malarial parasite in blood
Charts rexine
Family-fabaceae/liliaceae/solanaceae
Pedigree charts-rolling of tongue
/widows peek/colourblindness
Controlled pollination
emasculation,bagging technique
Malarial parasite-life cycle
Hiv life cycle
Pollination by different agencies
Tyoes of
gynoecium/placentation/aestivation
Fabricated models with dissectible
parts
Human skeleton
Human torso
Heart
Kidney
Brain
Eye

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5
5

2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

5
5
5
5
5

2
2
2
2
2

-----------------------------

5
5

---------------

---------------------------------------------------------

5
5
5
5

---------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5
5
5
5
5
5

10

15
16
17
18

Ear
Lung
Development of ovule of angiosperm
Ts.dicot /monocot root /stem

---------------------------------------------------------

5
5
5
5

LIST OF APPARATUS (NON CONSUMABLE) REQUIRED FOR BIO LAB

S.NO.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26

NAME OF THE ARTICLE

Binocular microscope with oil immersion
Two way eye pieces
Electronic ph meter
Microscope olympis
Dissection microscope
Haemocytometer
Autoclave
Electric water bath
Electronic balance
Vaccum dessicator
Refrigerator
Microwave oven
Incubator
Testtube stand plastic
Brush camel
Bunsen burner
Ganongs photometer
Slide box
Mortar and pestle
Blender/mixer
Funnel
Forceps
Needle
Measuring cylinder
Scissors
Scalpel entomological needle

FIXED LIFE IN
YEARS
30

PROPOSED LIFE
IN YEARS
10
3
5
10
10
5
5
5
5
5
10
10
10
2
2
2
5
5
2
5
2
2
2
2
2
2

11

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Glass apparatus breakable

Test tubes borosil
Measuring cylinder 10ml./20ml Borosil
Beakers 50ml/100ml/250/ml/500ml
Conical flask250ml/100ml
Round bottom flask250ml.
Funnel
Cover slips blue star
Slides
Slide with blood counting
Cavity slides
Bent tubes
Petri dishes
Glass rod

1
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
2
2
1

LIST OF THE APPARATUS TO BE INCLUDED IN ACCOUNTS CODE

S.NO
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

APPARATUS
Digital balance
Test tube brushes
Test tube holder
Test tube stand
Wire guage
Cork borer
Thermometers
Measuring cylinders-plastic*and glass**
Dessicator
Tripod stand
Spirit lamp
Water bath (copper)
Microwave oven
Refrigerator
Herbarium press
Staining rack
Wash bottle
Foreceps

LIFE FIXED BY YEARS

5
1
1
3
2
6
1
5*,1**
1
5
1(glass),10(brass)
10
10
20
20
10
1
1

12

LIST OF ARTICLES OF BIO LAB TO BE CHANGED FROM

NONCONSUMABLE TO CONSUMABLE
S.NO.

NAME OF THE ARTICLES

Petridish

Plain Slides

Watch glass

Cover slips

Beakers

Test tubes

droppers

Needles

13

SAFETY RULES IN BIOLOGY LAB

1) Have a Good Experience:
Biology lab is an important aspect of any biology course. In order to have a good lab experience,
make sure that you follow these biology lab safety rules and any instruction given to you by your
lab instructor.

2) Be Neat:
When working in a biology lab, make sure you keep your area neat and organized. If you happen to
spill something, ask for assistance when cleaning it up. Also remember to clean your work area and
wash your hands when you are finished.

3) Be Careful:
An important biology lab safety rule is to be careful. You may be working with glass or sharp
objects, so you dont want to handle them carelessly.

4) Wear Proper Clothing:

Accidents do happen in biology lab. Some chemicals have the potential to damage clothing. With
that in mind, you want to make sure that the clothing you wear is something you could do without
if it becomes damaged. As a precaution, wearing a apron or lab coat is a good idea.

You will also want to wear proper shoes that can protect your feet in case something gets broken.
Sandals or any type of open toed shoes are not recommended.

5) Be Cautious with needles, blades, cutter, and scissors

6) Be Cautious with Chemicals:

The best way to remain safe when dealing with chemicals is to assume that any chemical you
handle is dangerous. Be sure you understand what type of chemicals you are using and how they
should be properly handled.
If any chemical comes in contact with your skin, wash immediately with water and inform your lab
instructor. Wear protective eyewear when handling chemicals.

7) Locate Safety Equipments:

14

Where

to find all safety equipment in the biology lab. This includes such items like fire

extinguisher, first aid kit, broken glass receptacles, and chemical waste containers. Also be sure you
know where all the emergency exists are located and which exit route to take in case of an
emergency.

8) Biology Lab Donts:

There are several things in a biology lab that you must always avoid. Here are a few major
laboratory do nots:

Do Not:
-

eat or drink in the lab

taste any chemicals or substances you are working with

use your mouth for pipetting substances

handle broken glass with bare hands

pour chemicals down the drain without permission

operate lab equipment without permission

perform your own experiment unless given permission

leave any heated materials unattended

place flammable substances near heat

engage in childish antics such as horseplay or pranks

Microscopes should not be kept at the edges of the table

Do not play with sharp edges instruments like needles, blades, cutter, scissors

15

LAY OUT FOR A BIOLOGY LAB

3 ft

WOODEN CUPBOARD WITH GLASS SHOWCASE

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

DOOR
V

36.5
feet

3 feet

S
I
N
K

S
I
N
K

T
I
L
E
S
H
E
L
F

T
I
L
E
S
H
E
L
F

SEMINAR
CHAIRS

S
I
N
K

S
I
N
K

3 feet
FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

LCD PROJECTOR

DEMONSTRATION TABLE (ON

RAISED PLATFORM)

ENTRANCE
7 feet

9 feet
2 feet

WHITE BOARD
20 feet

36.5
feet