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amphiphilic

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adjective am·phi·phil·ic \ -ˈfi-lik \

Definition of amphiphilic

:of, relating to, or being a compound (such as a surfactant) consisting of molecules having a polar water-soluble group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain; also :being a molecule of such a compound
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amphiphile

play \ˈam(p)-fə-ˌfīl\ noun

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First Known Use of amphiphilic

1948

Medical Dictionary

amphiphilic

play
adjective am·phi·phil·ic \ ˌam-fə-ˈfil-ik \

medical Definition of amphiphilic

:of, relating to, consisting of, or being one or more molecules (as of a glycolipid or sphingolipid) in a biological membrane having a polar water-soluble terminal group attached to a water-insoluble hydrocarbon chain
—

amphiphile

play \ˈam-fə-ˌfīl\ noun

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