What is the role of an incubator in a lab?

The role of an incubator in a lab is to provide controlled temperature and humidity for cultures and biological samples. Incubators are essential for maintaining optimal growth conditions for microorganisms, cells, and tissues, allowing them to thrive in a stable environment that mimics natural conditions. This controlled environment is crucial for experiments that require specific temperature and moisture levels to ensure reliable and reproducible results.

While some incubators may have features that contribute to sterility, their primary function is not to provide a sterile environment but rather to maintain the ideal conditions needed for biological growth. Additionally, incubators are not designed to cool chemical reactions or serve as storage for lab equipment. Their specialized design focuses solely on creating a conducive environment for biological samples, making them a key piece of equipment in biotechnology and cell culture laboratories.