Well plates are laboratory tools used for various scientific experiments, particularly in biology and chemistry. They consist of a flat plate with multiple small wells or compartments, typically made of plastic or glass. Each well can hold a small volume of liquid, allowing researchers to conduct multiple tests simultaneously, which saves time and resources. These plates come in different sizes and configurations, such as 96-well plates or 384-well plates, depending on the number of wells they contain. They are commonly used for tasks like cell culture, enzyme assays, and drug screening, making them essential in research and development settings.