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Today's Terms
Absorption
Definition:
The process of taking in, as when a sponge takes up water. Chemicals can be absorbed into the bloodstream after breathing or swallowing. Chemicals can also be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and then transported to other organs. Not all of the chemical breathed, swallowed, or touched is always absorbed.
Gradient
Definition:
The change in a property over a certain distance. For example, lead can accumulate in surface soil near a road due to automobile exhaust. As you move away from the road, the amount of lead in the surface soil decreases. This change in the lead concentration with distance from the road is called a gradient.
Analyte
Definition:
A chemical for which a sample (such as water, air, blood, urine or other substance) is tested. For example, if the analyte is mercury, the laboratory test will determine the amount of mercury in the sample.
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