Final answer:
To prevent contamination of a sample from chemicals in another tube, use a clean pipette, label tubes clearly, wear protective gloves, and store tubes separately. Practicing aseptic techniques and meticulous handling of materials is vital for maintaining sample integrity.
Step-by-step explanation:
To prevent contamination of a sample with chemicals from another tube, it is essential to adhere to proper laboratory techniques. Firstly, always ensure that you use a clean pipette for each new sample to avoid cross-contamination. Pre-sterilized pipettes should be used to accurately transfer specific volumes of liquids, without any direct contact with hands, skin, or lab surfaces. Secondly, label all tubes clearly to prevent mix-ups and ensure that the correct samples are handled appropriately. Additionally, wearing protective gloves will safeguard against personal contamination to the sample.
Tubes should be stored separately to avoid accidental mixing or spillages. Some laboratory practices include holding tubes at an angle during liquid transfer to minimize exposure to airborne contaminants and passing the opening of tubes briefly through a flame to discourage such contamination. Always utilize aseptic techniques for handling sterile equipment and samples. Notably the practice of transferring liquids with pipettes should be honed with non-sterile water before attempting it with sterile materials. Overall, maintaining an aseptic work environment is crucial for the validity of experimental results.