The term "latex" can refer to a few different things, depending on the context:

• Natural Latex:

  This is a milky fluid extracted from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). It's a natural polymer composed of polyisoprene particles suspended in water. This type of latex is used to produce various rubber products, like gloves, tires, and balloons.

• Synthetic Latex:

  This is a synthetically produced polymer emulsion. It's made by polymerizing monomers like styrene and butadiene. Synthetic latex is used in paints, adhesives, coatings, and other products.

• LaTeX (pronounced "Lay-tech" or "Lah-tech"):

  This is a document preparation system and markup language used for typesetting documents, especially those containing mathematical formulas or complex layouts. It's widely used in academia and scientific publishing. LaTeX is built on top of the TeX typesetting system.

Without additional context, it's difficult to know definitively which meaning is intended.