ligand: Meaning and Definition of

li•gand

Pronunciation: (lī'gund, lig'und), [key]
— n.
  1. a molecule, as an antibody, hormone, or drug, that binds to a receptor.
  2. a molecule, ion, or atom that is bonded to the central metal atom of a coordination compound. Cf. complexing agent.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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