What factor can significantly affect the results of laboratory tests?

The time of day a sample is collected can significantly influence laboratory test results due to the concept of diurnal variation, which refers to fluctuations in biological markers based on the time of day. For example, hormone levels, glucose, and other substances in the body may vary throughout the day, potentially leading to different results if samples are taken at differing times.

Similarly, laboratory environment temperature plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of biological samples. Variations in temperature can affect the stability of certain analytes, cause sample degradation, or influence reaction rates during testing. If samples are processed at inappropriate temperatures, it could lead to inaccurate results.

Thus, both the time of day the sample is collected and the temperature of the laboratory environment are essential factors that can lead to significant changes in test results.