amphiphilic

[ am-fuh-fil-ik ]

/ ˌæm fəˈfɪl ɪk /

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adjective

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.

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Sometimes amphipathic .

Origin of amphiphilic

amphi- + -philic

Words nearby amphiphilic

Amphinomus, Amphion, amphioxus, amphipathic, amphiphile, amphiphilic, amphiploid, amphipod, amphipodous, amphiprostyle, amphiprotic