What term defines a mixture where components retain their individual properties and are not uniformly distributed?

The term that defines a mixture where the components retain their individual properties and are not uniformly distributed is referred to as a heterogeneous mixture. In this type of mixture, the various substances can often be easily distinguished from one another and may include different phases, such as solids, liquids, or gases. For example, in a salad, you can see and identify the different components like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers, which do not blend into a single phase and maintain their distinct characteristics.

In contrast, a homogeneous mixture features components that are uniformly distributed throughout the mixture and cannot be easily distinguished. A suspension refers to a type of heterogeneous mixture where larger particles are dispersed in a fluid but can settle out over time, and a solution is a homogeneous mixture where one substance (the solute) is completely dissolved in another (the solvent), resulting in a single phase.