To allow a sample for later testing, "fixing" it is a critical process. When a sample is fixed, it undergoes treatment that preserves its structure and composition, effectively stabilizing the sample components so they do not change over time. This preservation is crucial, especially when dealing with biological samples or chemical analyses, as it prevents degradation or transformation of the sample's constituents that could lead to misleading results in future tests.
Fixing often involves the use of chemicals that denature proteins and prevent metabolic processes in biological samples, ensuring that the sample remains representative of its initial state when it is analyzed later. By stabilizing the sample, "fixing" allows for accurate and reliable testing, maintaining the integrity of the sample until the desired analysis can take place. This makes it a vital step in laboratory protocols where time elapses between sample collection and analysis.