amphipathic en · ADJ
Pronunciation
- /ˌam.fɪˈpaθ.ɪk/ (Received-Pronunciation)
- (US) audio
- /ˌæm.fəˈpæ.θɪk/ (General-American)
Etymology
From amphi- + Ancient Greek παθικός (pathikós, “remaining passive in a sexual intercourse”), from Ancient Greek ἀμφί (amphí, “on both sides”).
Meanings
- (not-comparable) Describing a molecule, such as a detergent, which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.
- (not-comparable) 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.
Deriveds
Relateds
surfactant · amphoteric · amphiprotic
Synonyms
Translations (4)
pt anfipático (of an alpha helix: having one surface with hydrophilic amino acids and the opposite surface with hydrophobic or lipophilic aminoacids) · it anfipatico (of a molecule: having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups) · pt anfipático (of a molecule: having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups) · es anfipático (of a molecule: having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups)