Identify one primary method for controlling bacterial growth in laboratory settings.

Autoclaving or sterilization is a primary method for controlling bacterial growth in laboratory settings because it employs high-pressure steam at temperatures typically around 121 degrees Celsius for a specific duration, effectively killing bacteria, spores, and other microorganisms. This method ensures that the materials being sterilized, such as laboratory equipment, culture media, and glassware, are free from viable microbial life, which is crucial for maintaining aseptic conditions during experimental procedures.

In contrast, freezing is a preservation method that slows down metabolic processes but does not necessarily kill bacteria; some microbes can survive freezing conditions. Incubation is the process of maintaining samples at controlled environmental conditions to encourage bacterial growth, which is the opposite of controlling growth. Refrigeration slows down bacterial growth by lowering temperatures, but it does not eliminate all microorganisms, particularly spores, which can remain viable even at refrigeration temperatures. Therefore, autoclaving remains the most reliable method for achieving sterility and ensuring that bacterial growth is effectively controlled.