ligand

(lig′ănd )

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(līg′ănd)
[L. ligandus, for binding, to be bound, fr. ligare, to tie, bind]

1. In chemistry, an organic molecule attached to a central metal ion by multiple bonds.
2. Any chemical that binds to a specific receptor site, e.g., on a cell membrane.
3. In immunology, a small molecule bound to another chemical group or molecule.

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