Final answer:
The blood sample in the glass tube clotted during the hour, allowing for serum separation, which is necessary for further analysis in various diagnostic tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to the collection and analysis of body fluid specimens in a medical or clinical laboratory setting. A lab technician who collects a blood sample in a glass tube and lets it sit for an hour is allowing time for the blood to clot and the serum to separate from the clotted cells.
Serum is the liquid part of blood that remains after the blood has clotted and contains many vital substances for analysis, including electrolytes, hormones, antibodies, and drugs.
During this hour, the clotting process occurs, wherein the blood's cellular components aggregate and adhere to the walls of the glass tube under the influence of centrifugation. This separation process is critical for various diagnostic tests and is a routine part of sample preparation in a clinical laboratory.