Which component carries the analyte into the column?
In chromatography, separation depends on differential partitioning between two phases. The mobile phase that flows through the stationary phase is termed eluent, containing solvents or buffers. When sample is injected, eluent carries analyte molecules into and through the column, allowing continuous interaction with stationary phase. Eluate denotes liquid exiting after separation, and chromatogram is the detector output. Stationary phase remains fixed. Understanding this terminology clarifies that transport function belongs to the moving phase, which drives elution and governs contact time.
Ref: NCERT Biology Class XII Principles on Klenow fill-in labeling, Lehninger Chapter 9 DNA cloning techniques, and Molecular Cloning by Sambrook Chapter 10 documenting end-labeling of cohesive termini.