Moisture is properly retained in the slab in order that hydration occurs in concrete and gains proper strength.
The drying shrinkage will be delayed unless the concrete gains the proper strength for resisting cracking.
Strength, durability, water tightness, and wear resistance will be improved by proper curing.
Temperature is another important aspect of curing since you cannot keep the temperature too much hot or cold. The hydration reaction will slow down if the fresh concrete is cooled too much.
The temperature of concrete should be given more importance than the surrounding temperature. You can assume below 50 degrees Fahrenheit hydration will slow down.
The problem will be the opposite for hot concrete since the reaction occurs too fast. Very fast temperature differentials within the concrete will form cracks.
Quick reactions will not result in the proper formation of crystals so less strength is attained by the concrete.