What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ligand
Example
The oxygen molecule is a ligand that binds to the iron atom in hemoglobin. [ligand: noun]
Example
The ligand-receptor interaction is crucial for cell signaling and communication. [ligand-receptor: compound noun]
Example
The ligand-protein complex plays a vital role in enzyme catalysis. [ligand-protein: compound noun]
chelator
Example
EDTA is a common chelator used to remove heavy metal ions from wastewater. [chelator: noun]
Example
Iron chelators are used to treat iron overload disorders such as thalassemia. [chelators: plural noun]
Example
Chelation therapy is a medical treatment that uses chelating agents to remove toxic metals from the body. [chelation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ligand is more commonly used than chelator in scientific literature and everyday language. Ligand has a broader range of applications and is more versatile than chelator, which is mainly used in specific contexts such as environmental remediation and medical treatments for metal poisoning.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ligand and chelator?
Ligand and chelator are both technical terms used in scientific literature and formal contexts. However, chelator may be considered more technical and specialized than ligand due to its limited application and specific use cases.
