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Amphipathic vs Aliphatic - What's the difference?

amphipathic | aliphatic |

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