Peptides MEX / Glossary
Chromatogram: axes, peaks and interpretation limits
Peak shapes become meaningful alongside axes, detector information and method conditions.
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What the plot represents
A chromatogram plots a signal associated with separated components against time or elution volume. Peak position and size describe different aspects. A chromatogram is also distinct from a mass spectrum.
Sources: [1]
What to check before drawing conclusions
Locate the scale, baseline, sample identification and analytical conditions. Overlapping peaks can complicate interpretation. A large main peak alone does not establish identity or the absence of every contaminant.
Sources: [1]
Questions about this reference
Are a chromatogram and a spectrum the same plot?
No. A chromatogram follows a separation; a spectrum plots a signal against another variable, such as m/z in mass spectrometry.
Sources and original reading
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