bunsen burner

(noun)

A small laboratory gas burner whose air supply may be controlled with an adjustable hole.

Related Terms

Examples of bunsen burner in the following topics:

  • Heat

    • Leaving transfer loops in the flame of a Bunsen burner or alcohol lamp until it glows red ensures that any infectious agent gets inactivated.
    • A variation on flaming is to dip the object in 70% ethanol (or a higher concentration) and merely touch the object briefly to the Bunsen burner flame, but not hold it in the gas flame.

  • Aseptic Technique, Dilution, Streaking, and Spread Plates

    • This means passing rims and lids through the flame produced by a Bunsen burner in order to kill microorganisms coming in contact with those surfaces.
    • Heat is an excellent means of killing microorganisms, and the Bunsen burner is the sterile technician's best friend.