As adjectives the difference between amphipathic and aliphatic
is that amphipathic is describing a molecule, such as a detergent, which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups while aliphatic is of a class of organic compounds in which the carbon atoms are arranged in an open chain.
As a noun aliphatic is
a compound of this type.
amphipathic
Adjective
(-)
(chemistry) describing a molecule, such as a detergent, which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.
(biochemistry) often refers to 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.
See also
* amphiprotic
* amphoteric
* surfactant
aliphatic
English
Adjective
(-)
(organic chemistry) Of a class of organic compounds in which the carbon atoms are arranged in an open chain.
Noun
(
en noun)
A compound of this type.
(chiefly, in the plural) A petroleum fraction containing no aromatic compounds
See also
* alicyclic
* aromatic