Microplates are small, flat plates with multiple wells used in laboratories for various experiments, particularly in biology and chemistry. Each well can hold a small volume of liquid, allowing researchers to conduct multiple tests simultaneously. This efficiency makes microplates essential for tasks like screening drugs, analyzing samples, and performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Typically made from materials like plastic or glass, microplates come in different formats, such as 96-well or 384-well plates, depending on the number of wells they contain. They are compatible with various laboratory equipment, including pipettes and plate readers, which help measure reactions and analyze results efficiently.