What is Affnity in Chromatography?

Definition of affinity in chromatography:

Affinity in chromatography is the specific binding attraction between a target substance and a complementary binding component used in the chromatographic system. Affinity refers to the selective recognition that occurs between two interacting molecules based on their structural compatibility. In chromatography, affinity describes the inherent tendency of a target molecule to associate with a specific binding partner. This binding attraction is determined by molecular features such as shape and chemical complementarity rather than general physical properties. The term affinity applies only to the selective binding relationship and not to the separation process or experimental conditions.