Having a fan essentially has 3 base purposes:
1. Increase air flow to plants and room. Fresh air opens the plants pores so they can absorbs more light and CO2.
2. Artificial Wind; In nature, wind strengthens plant stems so they do not snap when the increase in size. Plants without a fan will have thinner stems that are more prone to breaking.
3. Heat Dispersion; In most cases your grow room will become exceedingly hot, plants like the temp to be between 75-80(give or take).
JJD