amphiphilic

[ am-fuh-fil-ik ]

adjective

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of amphiphilic¹

amphi- ( def ) + -philic ( def )

Example Sentences

The common factors among the active lipoproteins include a positive charge and an amphiphilic structure, meaning they have segments that repel fat and others that repel water.

From Science Daily

Vinyl cyanide is exciting because it's amphiphilic: One end has an electric charge, the other doesn't.

From Washington Post