Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide in a Biology Research Lab

Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide in a Biology research lab

Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide in a Biology Research Lab

As a biology researcher or owner of a lab, you know very well the importance of instrument-grade and ultra-high-purity gases. To that end, the importance of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) cannot be overemphasized. Finding uses in various laboratory applications such as cell culture, microbial culture, and pH control, these gases are among the most crucial and widely used in any biology research lab.

Usually procured in gas cylinders from experienced suppliers of specialized gases like nexAir, the gas levels are monitored to ensure they are within the safe ranges for the organisms/specimen being studied.

Multi-Faceted Uses of O2 and CO2 in Laboratory Settings

As the fundamental element for cellular respiration, O2 is used in cell cultivation. The gas is supplied to cell cultivation via an incubator as well as in tissue and microbial culture. With techniques like respirometry to measure the oxygen consumption rate in cells or tissues and the study of their metabolic processes, oxygen is used to learn more about cellular respiration. Laboratories also utilize oxygen to produce materials such as hydrogen peroxide and sterilization to keep lab equipment and the immediate environment free from contamination.

CO2, on the other hand, is a key component in photosynthesis studies wherein, for example, researchers measure the gas uptake of plants or algae in different light conditions. CO2 is also bubbled through solutions to lower its pH. In addition, carbon dioxide is the primary mobile phase for supercritical fluid chromatography.

 

Dry Ice Novelty of CO2

Dry ice is another novel application of CO2. It is made by compressing and cooling liquid CO2, to directly change it to a solid state. Dry ice plays a pivotal role in the preservation, experimentation, storage, preservation, and shipment of biological specimens. It is commonly used in pharmaceutical labs, genetic engineering, and DNA research.

Suppliers make it available in blocks or pellets which are stored and transported in insulated containers to prevent it from sublimating. Unlike regular ice, dry ice changes directly to gas while emitting a white cloud of CO2.

What to Look For in a Gas Supplier for Your Biology Laboratory

When sourcing gases from a supplier, it is important to ensure quality, safety, reliability, the availability of technical support, proper equipment, and industry compliance.

nexAir ticks all these boxes with decades of experience in delivering high-purity gas for analytical labs.

Several labs have entrusted nexAir with their needs for consistent supplies of gas which are backed by on-time delivery and stellar customer support. With our products and KnowHow, we work closely with our clients to thoroughly understand their business processes and how their gas usage can be optimized be it in terms of user needs, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

nexAir’s high-volume fill plants are equipped to mix, fill, test, and deliver any gas or blend, including, but not limited to argon, helium, acetylene, propane, and other specialty gases. We can even create custom gas mixtures to meet your exact specifications.

We also operate in full compliance with the regulations and standards set by the industry. Every specialty gas cylinder from nexAir comes with a proof of purity with a certificate of analysis signed by our lab specialists.

Reach out to nexAir for reliable, optimal, and precise gases that your laboratories need.

Looking out for your future

Get your career going on the right track with nexAir

Industry Knowledge and Expertise

Find out how nexAir KnowHow has impacted businesses all over the Southeast

nexAir in the news

Our expertise makes us more than a valuable partner, it makes us headlines

nexAir is always open!

Don't see what you're looking for?

Everything we offer is a click away and it will arrive before you know it.