amphipathic

English

Etymology

amphi- +‎ -pathic

Adjective

amphipathic (not comparable)

1. (chemistry) Describing a molecule, such as a detergent, which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.
2. (biochemistry) Of the surface(s) on a protein, particularly an alpha helix, where one surface of the alpha helix has hydrophilic amino acids and the opposite face has hydrophobic (or lipophilic) amino acids.

Synonyms

• amphiphilic

Translations

of a molecule: having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups

• Italian: anfipatico
• Portuguese: anfipático (pt)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Spanish: anfipático

of an alpha helix: having one surface with hydrophilic amino acids and the opposite surface with hydrophobic or lipophilic aminoacids

• Portuguese: anfipático (pt)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}

See also

• amphiprotic
• amphoteric
• surfactant