titer
Noun: 1. The concentration of a solution as determined by titration: In chemistry and medicine, a titer is a measurement that expresses the concentration of a substance in a solution. It is found by determining the smallest amount or highest dilution of the substance that still produces a specific reaction. 2. A measure of antibody levels: In immunology, a titer specifically refers to the concentration of an antibody in a blood sample, indicating the strength of the immune response to a pathogen.
- General Chemistry:
- The lab report required the titer of the sodium hydroxide solution.
- A high titer of the acid means it is very concentrated.
- Medical/Immunology:
- The doctor ordered a test to check my antibody titer against the virus.
- A rising titer in consecutive tests can indicate an active infection.
- Expressing Titer Values: Titers are often expressed as a ratio (e.g., 1:128) indicating the highest dilution at which the substance is still detectable. A titer of 1:640 is higher than a titer of 1:80.
- Example: The patient's serum showed a positive titer of 1:256 for rubella antibodies.
- Titre: (Noun) This is the standard British English spelling of "titer."
- Titration: (Noun) The laboratory process or technique used to determine a titer.
- Titrate: (Verb) To perform a titration.
- Concentration
- Strength (of a solution)
- Level (specifically for antibodies)
The core meaning of titer is always a measured concentration. Its specific application differs by field: * In general chemistry, it refers to the concentration of any solute. * In medicine and immunology, it almost exclusively refers to the concentration of antibodies or sometimes antigens in a sample.
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the concentration of a solution as determined by titration
