What is typically the function of a compressor in the refrigeration cycle?

The function of a compressor in the refrigeration cycle is to pressurize the refrigerant and move it through the system. This is crucial because the compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, raising its pressure and temperature before it enters the condenser. By increasing the pressure, the compressor enables the refrigerant to flow through the system efficiently and assists in the heat exchange process. This compression helps facilitate the continuous cycle of refrigeration, where heat is absorbed from the environment and expelled externally.

This function is critical because a functioning compressor ensures that the refrigerant can absorb heat in the evaporator and then reject that heat in the condenser, maintaining the desired temperature in the refrigerated space. The other options focus on functions that are performed by different components of the refrigeration system, such as temperature measurement, heat rejection, and flow control, but do not accurately describe the primary role of the compressor itself.