Heterogeneity

Heterogeneity refers to the presence of more than one species of molecule. This term is used most often when it could be assumed or normally happens that one species is present. For example, if an enzyme protein solution contains an unmodified enzyme species and an enzyme species with a post-translational carbohydrate chain added to it, the solution will display heterogeneity in its apparent molecular weight even though it is not necessarily heterogeneous in its enzymatic activity.