Chromatography is a way of separating two or more chemical compounds. Chemical compounds are chemicals that are molecules made up of atoms bonded together. For example, water molecules have a chemical bond of oxygen and hydrogen. Proteins are another type of chemical compound.
There are different kinds of chromatography. These include gas, high pressure liquid, or ion exchange chromatography.
In general, chromatography uses the differences in chemicals to separate them. These differences might include their size, electric charge, or how well they stick to other material.
References
Pincus MR, Lifshitz MS, Bock JL. Analysis: principles of instrumentation. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 4.
Sluss PM, Hayes FJ. Laboratory techniques for recognition of endocrine disorders. In: Melmed S, Auchus RJ, Goldfine AB, Koenig RJ, Rosen CJ, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 14th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 4.
Review Date 11/1/2023
Updated by: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.