Analyte
Encyclopedia
An analyte, or component (in clinical chemistry), is a substance or chemical constituent that is of interest in an analytical procedure. Grammatically, it is important to note that experiments always seek to measure properties
of analytes—and that analytes themselves can never be measured. For instance, one cannot measure a table
(analyte-component) but, the height, width, etc. of a table can be measured. Likewise, one cannot measure glucose but can measure the glucose concentration. In this example "glucose" is the component and "concentration" is the measurable property. In laboratory and layman jargon the "property" is often left out provided the omission does not lead to an ambiguity of what property is measured.
Chemical property
A chemical property is any of a material's properties that becomes evident during a chemical reaction; that is, any quality that can be established only by changing a substance's chemical identity...
of analytes—and that analytes themselves can never be measured. For instance, one cannot measure a table
Table (furniture)
A table is a form of furniture with a flat and satisfactory horizontal upper surface used to support objects of interest, for storage, show, and/or manipulation...
(analyte-component) but, the height, width, etc. of a table can be measured. Likewise, one cannot measure glucose but can measure the glucose concentration. In this example "glucose" is the component and "concentration" is the measurable property. In laboratory and layman jargon the "property" is often left out provided the omission does not lead to an ambiguity of what property is measured.