surfactant

  1. Noun.  (chemistry) A surface active agent, or wetting agent, capable of reducing the surface tension of a liquid; typically organic compounds having a hydrophilic "head" and a hydrophobic "tail".
  2. Noun.  (biochemistry) A lipoprotein in the tissues of the lung that reduces surface tension and permits more efficient gas transport.

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