amphiphilic

[am-fuh-fil-ik]

adjective

1. Biochemistry.,  (of a molecule) having two different affinities, as a polar end that is attracted to water and a nonpolar end that is repelled by it.

   Phospholipids are amphiphilic molecules that are the structural foundation of essentially all cell membranes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphiphilic¹

amphi- ( def. ) + -philic ( def. )

Example Sentences

Professor Park's team developed a supramolecular photocatalyst that can transfer electrons similar to chlorophyll in nature by modifying rhodamine, an existing fluorescent dyes, into an amphiphilic structure.

From Science Daily

The common factors among the active lipoproteins include a positive charge and an amphiphilic structure, meaning they have segments that repel fat and others that repel water.

From Science Daily

Vinyl cyanide is exciting because it's amphiphilic: One end has an electric charge, the other doesn't.

From Washington Post