amphipathic
(redirected from amphiphobic)Also found in: Dictionary.
am·phi·path·ic
(am'fē-path'ik),Denoting a molecule, such as comprises detergents or wetting agents, which contains groups with characteristically different properties, for example, both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.
Synonym(s): amphiphilic, amphiphobic
[amphi- + G. pathos, feeling]
amphipathic
[-path′ik]
Etymology: Gk, amphi both + pathos suffering
pertaining to a molecule having two sides with characteristically different properties, such as a detergent, which has both a polar (hydrophilic) end and a nonpolar (hydrophobic) end but is long enough so that each end demonstrates its own solubility characteristics.
amphipathic
Of a chemical structure having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces as in the case of the phospholipid molecules of the cell membrane. Some proteins have amphipathic regions.amphipathic
a molecule containing both HYDROPHILIC and HYDROPHOBIC components, as in a phospholipid molecule. See FLUID-MOSAIC MODEL.amphipathic
molecules containing both polar and non-polar regions in their structure.