Incubator Uses

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, an incubator is an insulated enclosure in which temperature, humidity and other environmental conditions can be regulated at optimal levels for growth, hatching or reproduction. From growing bacteria in a medical lab to sustaining the frailest of life in a hospital, incubators serve a variety of purposes. Avian incubators, infant incubators and bacteriological incubators are the three most common types.

  1. Hatching Eggs

    • Avian incubators are used to hatch eggs. According to avianweb.com, avian incubators have a temperature from 99.5 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity of 86 to 88 percent. When an egg lies in the same position for too long, the white separates and allows the yolk to pass through, forcing the germ to break against the shell, killing the embryo. An incubator prevents this with automatic turning units that rotate the eggs at a minimum recommended rate of five times every 24 hours. Chicks can be incubated and hatched in the same unit. Avian incubators come in a variety of sizes, from a personal, tabletop unit to a large, industrial-sized unit. Some incubators feature specialized capacities and adapters for eggs from different species.

    Simulating a Mother's Womb

    • According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, infant incubators simulate a mother's womb and provide a warm environment for babies born prematurely or for other infants who are unable to maintain a normal body temperature. Infant incubators are made of transparent plastic and completely enclose the infant, who lacks necessary body fat. Incubators regulate how much oxygen the infant receives and the level of humidity. Nurses and doctors care for the infant without disturbing the environment through portholes fitted with long rubber gloves. This decreases the chance of infection and disturbs the baby as little as possible.

    Culturing Microoganisms

    • Bacteriological incubators have been used in science and medicine for centuries. This incubator provides a controlled environment that promotes the growth of microorganisms in various culture media. The first step in culturing a microorganism is obtaining a sample, whether it be through saliva, blood or tissue. The sample is then placed in a culture media, such as a petri dish, and is put into the incubator. Levels on the incubator are adjusted until temperature and humidity are similar to the organism from which the sample was extracted. Lab technicians monitor the growth and response of the cells in the petri dish for diagnosis and research. Scientists identify harmful bacteria, develop vaccines and even create new organisms. A common application of this process is used when doctors perform a swab test for strep throat.