Which term describes a mixture that remains together and contains both a solute and a solvent?

The correct answer is a solution. A solution is a homogeneous mixture where one substance, known as the solute, is completely dissolved in another substance called the solvent. In this type of mixture, the solute's particles are at the molecular or ionic level and are dispersed evenly throughout the solvent, resulting in a clear and stable combination that does not settle over time.

It’s important to distinguish a solution from other types of mixtures. For example, a suspension contains larger particles that do not dissolve but remain suspended in the liquid; over time, these particles will settle out. A colloid, on the other hand, consists of particles that are larger than those in a solution but still small enough to remain dispersed, giving it a distinct property compared to a true solution. Referring to the solvent, it specifically refers to the substance that dissolves the solute, and while it is a component of a solution, it does not represent the mixture as a whole. Therefore, solution is the most appropriate term to describe this type of mixture.