What is the term for a substance being dissolved in a solution?

The term for a substance being dissolved in a solution is known as the solute. In a solution, the solute is the component that is present in a smaller amount compared to the solvent, which is the substance doing the dissolving. The solute interacts with the solvent at a molecular level, leading to a homogeneous mixture. This concept is foundational in understanding solutions in chemistry and biology, where the solute can be a solid, liquid, or gas.

The other terms relate to different aspects of solutions and mixtures. For instance, a solvent refers to the substance that dissolves the solute, and a concentration is a measure of how much solute is present in a given volume of solution. A suspension, on the other hand, refers to a mixture where solid particles are dispersed in a liquid without dissolving, which is different from the concept of a solution where the solute is completely dissolved. Understanding these distinctions is key in fields such as biochemistry and pharmacology.