Some general aspects regarding the interpretation of binding data by means of a Scratchard plot.

The question is quantitatively examined which general information can be obtained from experimental data of ligand binding to macromolecules if represented by a Scatchard plot. In particular, the curvature as well as the intercepts and slopes at both coordinate axes are analyzed assuming rather general conditions including cooperative behavior (with applications to some simplified cases of interest in practice). The results should provide a basis for attempts to elucidate the binding mechanism of a system encountered in experimental work.