Definition

The specific substance being measured or analyzed in a laboratory test, aka the star of the scientific show. While the technician runs fifty different tests, the analyte is that one thing they're actually looking for—glucose in your blood, toxins in water, or whatever compound is either going to confirm your hypothesis or ruin your week. Everything else in the sample is just background noise.

Example Usage

The analyte concentration in the patient's blood sample exceeded the normal reference range by 300%.

Source: Medical and laboratory terminology

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cocci

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hypothermia

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Scope of Practice

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