Final answer:
The control in the experiment to determine the effect of Lat. A on cells was a group of cells that did not receive the Lat. A treatment, providing a baseline for comparison. This control helped to isolate the effects of Lat. A and rule out other factors affecting the outcome.
Step-by-step explanation:
In today's experiment, to determine if Lat. A had an effect on our cells, the control used was likely a group of cells that were treated similarly to the experimental group but did not receive the Lat. A treatment. The purpose of a control in such an experiment is to provide a baseline for comparison against the conditions where the independent variable (Lat. A) is applied to the experimental group. With this control, any changes observed in the experimental group can be attributed to the effect of Lat. A, rather than other variables that were kept constant.
The control group may have been treated with a placebo or an inert substance to account for any changes that are not related to the experimental treatment. This is crucial to eliminate bias and to ensure that the experimental results are due solely to the effects of the independent variable being tested.
Controls are an essential aspect of experimental design because they allow researchers to isolate the effects of the independent variable and to make comparisons with a standard or baseline. Without a control, it would be difficult to determine whether the outcome was the result of the treatment or some other factor.