amphiphilic

  1. Adjective.  (chemistry, of a molecule) Being a detergent: having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic (or lipophilic) groups.
  2. Adjective.  (biochemistry, of a protein) Having one surface consisting of hydrophilic amino acids and the opposite surface consisting of hydrophobic (or lipophilic) ones.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.