435. solubility The propensity for an analyte to dissolve in a liquid forming a homogeneous solution, dependent on the physical and chemical properties of the solute and solvent.
436. specificity The ability to measure the analyte unequivocally in the presence of other compounds, either exogenous or endogenous, in the matrix. For IUPAC, specificity is the ultimate of selectivity.
437. specimen A specifically selected proportion of a material taken from a dynamic system and assumed to be representative of the parent material at the time it is taken. Also see ‘Sample’.
438. spike (noun) A volume of solution containing reference item added to analytical matrix to obtain a known concentration in samples such as calibration standards and quality controls.
439. spike (verb) The action of fortifying analytical matrix with a known concentration and volume of a reference item solution.