Placing the reaction tubes in the incubator is important because it provides a controlled environment that allows for the proper growth of the organisms being studied. The incubator provides a specific temperature, humidity, and atmosphere (such as the presence of oxygen) that is ideal for the growth and reproduction of the microorganisms being studied.
Excluding this step could have several negative effects on the results. If the tubes are not placed in the incubator, the growth and reproduction of the microorganisms may be inhibited or slowed down, leading to a decrease in the number of viable cells present. This can result in inaccurate or inconclusive results, as the number and characteristics of the microorganisms being studied may be altered.
Additionally, if the tubes are not placed in the incubator, there is a risk of contamination from other microorganisms in the surrounding environment, which can also affect the results. Therefore, it is crucial to place the reaction tubes in the incubator to ensure accurate and reliable results in microbiological experiments.