Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) Practice Exam

What must ovens, water baths, and incubators have?

1. Device for controlling temperature

2. Built-in thermometer

3. Water circulation

4. Alarm system

The correct answer is: Device for controlling temperature

Ovens, water baths, and incubators must have a device for controlling temperature because maintaining precise temperature conditions is critical for many laboratory procedures. This device allows for consistent and accurate thermal environments, which is essential in various applications such as culture growth, sample preparation, and chemical reactions. Without proper temperature control, experimental results can be compromised, leading to inaccuracies or failures in the experiments. While built-in thermometers can provide a visual indication of the current temperature, they do not ensure that the temperature remains stable and within the required parameters over time. Water circulation is important for temperature uniformity in some water baths but is not a universal requirement for all types of ovens and incubators. Alarm systems, while useful for alerting users to temperature changes outside of set limits, do not directly contribute to the temperature control itself. Thus, a device for controlling temperature is the fundamental requirement shared among these instruments.