The Laboratory: Chemistry
The center of chemistry is the laboratory, having to do with experiments, validations and outcomes which turn out to be points of reference subsequently.
Chemistry often seems abstract, but it analyzes reactions that occur in biological components. Chemistry is defined as the study and analysis of matter and its structure, as well as the changes in reactions.
Definition of Chemistry
Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the study of matter and the investigation of its properties and reactions.
A chemistry laboratory
is a research space equipped for conducting hands-on chemical experiments, observing chemical processes and conducting analyses.
We would be observing the chemistry laboratory, its organizational components and the instruments used in each division.
Specializations in the Chemistry Laboratory
1. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
It is a branch of chemistry that deals with the composition and structure of substances. It involves two main analyses: qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Qualitative analysis helps to identify elements, ions, or compounds in a sample, determine functional groups in organic compounds, and verify the identity of unknown substances. Quantitative analysis, on the other hand, involves determining the amount or concentration of a specific chemical component in a sample using expressing it in mass, volume, or relative abundance.
The analytical chemistry laboratory’s instrumentation involves using advanced instruments like NMR Spectrometers, mass spectrometers, and chromatography systems (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography – HPLC, Gas Chromatography – GC.)
Analytical chemistry is easily applicable in a variety of areas, such as quality control: ensuring food and beverages are safe for consumption, ensuring the purity and safety of drugs, also in diagnostics, for analysis of urine, blood and bodily fluids. It is also used in analyzing how drugs are metabolized in the body.
2. Physical chemistry Laboratory
Physical chemistry is the branch of chemistry that studies the physical properties of matter and how chemical reactions occur.
It involves experiments that explore thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry and spectroscopy.
Some equipment used in the physical includes centrifuges, atomic force microscopes, mass spectrometers, nuclear magnetic resonance instruments, scanning electron microscopes, thermal evaporators, etc.
3. Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory
Medicinal chemistry focuses on designing, developing, and synthesizing pharmaceutical drugs. Experts also refer to it as pharmaceutical chemistry. This arm of chemistry, like other types, indirectly contributes to improving the health system.
It is where scientists work on the discovery, design, and development of new drugs and the improvement of existing ones.
Some instruments of common use in the medicinal chemistry laboratory include lyophilizers, vacuum ovens, hot plates/stirrers, autoclaves, electrochemical cells, UV-Vis spectrophotometers, etc.
These different aspects of the chemistry laboratory play major roles in the health space and are indirectly dependent on each other for the sustainable improvement of the health sector.