Which parameters are controlled by incubators in the laboratory?

Incubators in the laboratory are primarily designed to provide a controlled environment for the growth and maintenance of microorganisms, cells, and tissues. The key parameters they control are atmosphere and temperature.

Atmosphere refers to the composition of gases within the incubator, which can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the biological samples being studied. For example, certain incubators can regulate levels of carbon dioxide and oxygen, which is crucial for cultivating cell cultures or growing specific types of bacteria.

Temperature control is equally vital, as different organisms thrive at different temperatures. Most incubators maintain a constant temperature that is optimal for the growth of the cultured samples, typically around 37 degrees Celsius for human cells and many pathogenic bacteria.

While humidity, pressure, light, and sound are also important factors that can influence biological studies, they are not the primary parameters controlled by standard incubators. For example, some incubators may have humidity controls to prevent samples from drying out, but the core functions of incubation focus on atmospheric composition and temperature regulation.