What Is a Test Tube? A Beginner’s Guide to This Essential Lab Tool

Has your doctor asked you to take a blood test this year? If so, you are not alone, as millions of Americans donate blood samples every year for various reasons. These blood samples are then tested to generate a result. In this regard, the use of a test tube is essential as it holds the sample and allows its testing. But what is a test tube and why is it considered a must-have item in the laboratory setting?

In this article, let us address the question about what is a test tube and how they are used as an essential lab tool. Additionally, for the reader’s convenience, some well-known test or sample tube brands are listed below.

What is a Test Tube?

A test tube is a small, cylindrical lab tool that is used to hold and store the samples. One end of these test tubes is open while the other has a U-shaped bottom. Test tubes can be manufactured using glass as well as medical-grade plastic. The samples often added to these lab tools include blood, bodily fluids, bacteria, as well as other chemical agents.

Construction Material of Test Tubes

While learning about what is a test tube, an important consideration is the construction material of these items. In this regard, most test tubes are made up of the following:

Glass Test Tubes

When it comes to glass-based test tubes, there are two kinds of materials used to manufacture them:

Borosilicate Glass

Borosilicate glass is one of the widely used construction materials due to its high resistance against thermal as well as chemical shock. Therefore, these work well when exposed to heating. Moreover, sudden changes in the temperature also do not allow the test tube to crack.

Fused Quartz

Another well-known construction material when it comes to learning about what is a test tube is fused quartz. Like borosilicate glass, fused quartz-based test tubes also provide excellent resistance against thermal shock. In addition, fused quartz also has high optical clarity and is, therefore, suitable for high-temperature as well as UV transmission applications.

Plastic Test Tubes

Another popular construction material while learning about what is a test tube is plastic. As most medical supplies are being constructed using plastic, test tubes are no exception. In this regard, the following materials are commonly used:

Polypropylene

Polypropylene or PP is often used for the construction of test tubes. The material offers high chemical resistance and can also withstand high mechanical stress. Moreover, these test tubes can also be autoclaved for sterilization.

Miscellaneous Plastic Materials

Some other types of plastics used for manufacturing test tubes include:

• Polystyrene
• Polycarbonate
• Polyethylene
• Poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA

Glass vs. Plastic Test Tubes: Pros and Cons

While learning about what is a test tube, it is important to look into all the pros and cons of glass as well as plastic-based products. This will help the buyers from purchasing the kind of product that suits their demands. In this regard, the following table gives a summary of both the products:

	Glass Test Tubes	Plastic Test Tubes
Pros	High chemical resistance	Highly cost-efficient
	High-temperature resistance	Durable
	Excellent transparency	Flexible
	Easy cleaning	Lightweight
	Reusable	Lesser risk of breakage
	Inert to most chemical substances	High chemical resistance
Cons	Fragile	Heat sensitive
	Prone to breakage	Brittle
	Can react to strong acids or bases	Potential for leaching
	High cost	Potential for contamination

How to Purchase the Right Test Tubes?

Some of the key considerations while learning about what is a test tube before making a purchase include the following:

Material Compatibility

The construction material used for the test tubes indicates the compatibility of the product with the type of material it has to hold. For instance, if the test tube is to be exposed to high temperatures, borosilicate glass is the best choice. In such cases, plastic-based products should not be preferred as they are prone to melting.

Similarly, for high durability and lesser risk of breakage, it is best to choose polypropylene test tubes. These are also highly resistant to most chemical agents.

Size and Volume

Another important consideration while learning about what is a test tube is the size. Test tubes come in different sizes which range from a smaller one with 5 ml volume capacity up to larger items that can hold 50 ml or more volume of the sample.

Keep in mind that choosing the right size of the test tube ensures its optimal functioning.

Type of Closure

As for the closure type of the test tubes, these come in two forms i.e. open-ended test tubes as well as capped test tubes. The open-ended test tubes can be accessed quickly but the risk of sample spilling is higher. On the other hand, capped test tubes are excellent for preventing evaporation as well as contamination.

Requirements for Sterility

Another feature to look for while learning about what is a test tube is if the product can be subjected to sterilization. As for the glass-based test tubes, sterilization is easy by autoclaving. The test tube material can tolerate high temperatures and, therefore, can even be heated on an open flame to kill bacteria.

On the contrary, plastic test tubes often come pre-sterilized and could hold the blood and other samples for numerous applications.

Equipment Compatibility

In addition to the above-mentioned features to be considered while learning about what is a test tube, the product should also be compatible with laboratory apparatus including centrifuges, racks, heating blocks, etc.

Test Tubes at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications

Test tubes are the items that are often employed in laboratories as well as in healthcare facilities. These are ideal for holding and storage of samples taken from the patients for further testing. Most test tubes used in healthcare are constructed using medical-grade plastic due to its sturdiness. However, in laboratories, glass test tubes are also used.

When it comes to learning about what is a test tube, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:

Greiner Bio 454493P Vacuette Blood Collection Tubes W/ LH, 13×75,3mL 1200CS

US$172.99

Product Details

Greiner Bio 454493P vacuette blood collection tubes are employed in healthcare setups as well as testing laboratories for collecting blood samples. These are pre-filled with Lithium Heparin additive to help keep the blood in liquid form so that testing could be possible.

Moreover, these Greiner Bio 454493P vacuette blood collection tubes can be used for measuring the level of oxygen as well as carbon dioxide in the blood sample. In addition, acidity and alkalinity can also be checked.

Furthermore, while learning about what is a test tube, it is important to keep in mind that these Greiner Bio 454493P vacuette blood collection tubes are also helpful in assessing the level of electrolytes or minerals in the blood sample. As for the hormones, their concentration in the blood sample can also be estimated.

Greiner Bio-One 456279: 6ML K2 EDTA Blood Collection Tube (Case of 24 Boxes of 50)

US$136.88

Product Details

Greiner Bio-One 456279: 6ML K2 EDTA blood collection tubes have K2 EDTA additives in them. These are constructed using a clear plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that allows visibility. The pink pull cap with a pink ring allows easy identification.

While learning about what is a test tube, another important concern is the size of the product. These Greiner Bio-One 456279: 6ML K2 EDTA blood collection tubes have a 13 x 100 mm size that is suitable for use in clinical laboratories for Rh typing, antibody screening, cell grouping, etc.

Moreover, these Greiner Bio-One 456279: 6ML K2 EDTA blood collection tubes have a non-ridged structure and a round bottom. Overall, the product is ideal for usage for hematology as well as immunohematology testing.

CORNING 430055 15mL Sterile Centrifuge Tubes with Plug Seal Cap

US$248.88

Product Details

CORNING 430055 15 mL sterile centrifuge tubes with plug seal cap have a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-based construction. The product also has graduations that make it easy to check the volume of the liquid sample present in the test tube.

Moreover, these CORNING 430055 15 mL sterile centrifuge tubes also have a large marking spot to further ease the visualization of the markings. The item can be employed for various laboratory applications which makes them an essential medical tool while learning about what is a test tube.

Furthermore, these CORNING 430055 15 mL sterile centrifuge tubes are certified non-pyrogenic as well as RNase-/DNase-free. The plug seal caps ensure the safety of the sample and prevent it from contamination.

CORNING 352098 Falcon 50mL Polypropylene Conical Centrifuge Tubes

US$224.88

Product Details

CORNING 352098 Falcon 50 mL polypropylene conical centrifuge tubes come with a blue screw cap that ensures the protection of the sample from contaminants. These are widely used in healthcare facilities as well as in laboratories for the storage of large volumes of samples.

Moreover, these CORNING 352098 Falcon 50 mL polypropylene conical centrifuge tubes are manufactured using high-quality polypropylene (PP) plastic that is known for offering high resistance against chemical agents. While learning about what is a test tube, it is important to note that the clarity of the construction material also allows the visualization of the collected samples.

Furthermore, these CORNING 352098 Falcon 50 mL polypropylene conical centrifuge tubes have a capacity of up to 50 ml. As for their applications, the items are suitable for mixing, storage, as well as centrifugation of the samples. Therefore, these can be easily employed in the labs associated with the fields of molecular biology, biochemistry, and cell culture.

CORNING 352097 Falcon 15mL Sterile Centrifuge Tubes with Dome Seal Screw Cap

US$222.88

Product Details

CORNING 352097 Falcon 15 mL sterile centrifuge tubes are one of the most reliable test tubes used in laboratories. While learning about what is a test tube, it is important to keep in mind that these are sterile and can be easily subjected to high-speed centrifugation. The dome-seal screw caps keep the contents protected during such high-speed processes and prevent spillage.

Moreover, these CORNING 352097 Falcon 15 mL sterile centrifuge tubes are constructed using high-quality polypropylene (PP). The product has a 12,000 RCF rating as well. Furthermore, the screw caps of these CORNING 352097 Falcon 15 mL sterile centrifuge tubes can be used in both vented as well as fully closed positions.

*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.

The products mentioned in this article while learning about what is a test tube, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of medical and laboratory supplies.

Conclusion

Test tubes are the items that are used in the laboratories to hold and store the samples. These are often used in medical practice when collecting a blood or bodily fluid sample is necessary. For this purpose, it is important to have a stock of test tubes that could meet the demands of medical labs.

While learning about what is a test tube, it is important to look into its features as well as types. Some test tubes are constructed using glass while others are plastic-based. Both of these items have their pros and cons and can be selected depending on the intended application.

Considering their importance, test tubes should be kept in bulk in all healthcare facilities including hospitals, clinics, as well as veterinary facilities. For purchasing different types of test tubes, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.