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My student-supplied material list calls for isopropanol, but I can't find it in stores. What can I use as a replacement?

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Depending on the lab kit you purchased, a suitable replacement for Isopropanol may vary. Please find your lab and experiment below to learn what you can use in lieu of Isopropanol. 

2nd Edition Gen Bio (Kit1713)

Lab 3 Chemical Bonding Fundamentals – Experiment 1: Paper Chromatography (12 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of nail polish remover (acetone)

1st Edition Gen Bio (Kit1613)

Lab 3 Chemical Bonding Fundamentals – Experiment 1: Paper Chromatography (20 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of nail polish remover (acetone).

2nd Edition Microbiology (Kit6200)

Lab 4 Culturing & Aseptic Technique – Experiment 2: Bacterial Transfer to a Stab Tube and an Agar Plate (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

Lab 5 Structure and Microscopy – Experiment 1: Simple Staining (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

Lab 5 Structure and Microscopy – Experiment 2: Negative Staining (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written

Lab 6 Growth of Microorganisms – Experiment 2: Effect of Chemical Germicides on Bacterial Growth (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

Lab 8 Selective Media and Agar – Experiment 1: Bioprospecting for Starch-Degrading Bacteria (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

Lab 9 Differential and Biochemical Tests – Experiment 1: Oxidase Assay for Respiration (approx. 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

Lab 9 Differential and Biochemical Tests – Experiment 2: Catalase Assay (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

Lab 9 Differential and Biochemical Tests – Experiment 3: Antibiotic Sensitivity (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

Lab 10 Eukaryotic Microbes, Parasitology, and Viruses – Experiment 2: Microscopic Observation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

Lab 12 Environmental Microbiology and Water Quality – Experiment 2: Characterizing Bacteria Isolated from Soil (approximately 10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of hydrogen peroxide. Follow the protocol as written.

2nd Edition Introductory Chemistry

Lab 6 Chemical and Physical Properties – Experiment 1: Density of a Substance (10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of nail polish remover (acetone).

Lab 19 Stoichiometric Calculations – Experiment 1: Calculating the Yield of Calcium Carbonate (5 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use ethanol if they have it on hand (this may also be hard to find right now). If they cannot find it, skip the step of using the isopropyl alcohol and extend the drying time to overnight.

General Chemistry

Lab 11 Gravimetric Analysis – Experiment 1: Gravimetric Analysis with Calcium Chloride and Potassium Carbonate (10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use ethanol if they have it on hand (this may also be hard to find right now). If they cannot find it, skip the step of using the isopropyl alcohol and extend the drying time to overnight.

Lab 22 Exp. 1: Paper Chromatography (30 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of nail polish remover (acetone).

Lab 23 Electrochemical Series – Experiment 1: Plating Copper Gluconate (200 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use ethanol if they have it on hand (this may also be hard to find right now). If they cannot find it, skip the step of using the isopropyl alcohol and extend the drying time to overnight.

General, Organic and Biochemistry

Lab 4 Physical and Chemical Properties – Experiment 1: Density of a Substance (10 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use the same volume of nail polish remover (acetone).

Lab 10 Stoichiometry – Experiment 1: Calculating the Yield of Calcium Carbonate (5 mL)

  • Replacement: Students may use ethanol if they have it on hand (this may also be hard to find right now). If they cannot find it, skip the step of using the isopropyl alcohol and extend the drying time to overnight.
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