A sample is a small part that represents the whole.
Most often times, in an experiment, samples are usually tested for an observation. It is often easier to handle and manipulate a sample of a population than the whole lot.
A group of 20 rats chosen is simply a sample of the rat population in a place.
Such selection is usually based on some definite rules.
From the results obtained from testing the sample, general conclusions can easily be inferred or drawn.