What is the primary role of molecular clouds in the interstellar medium?

Answer

To act as primary ingredient factories for new stars and planetary systems

Molecular clouds are characterized as the densest and coldest regions of the interstellar medium, functioning as the essential raw material reservoirs for stellar birth and the formation of associated planetary structures.

What is the primary role of molecular clouds in the interstellar medium?
Spaceastronomystar formationmolecular cloud