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Amphoteric vs Amphipathic - What's the difference?

amphoteric | amphipathic |

In chemistry terms the difference between amphoteric and amphipathic

is that amphoteric is having the characteristics of both an acid and a base, and capable of reacting as either; amphiprotic while amphipathic is describing a molecule, such as a detergent, which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.

amphoteric

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (chemistry) Having the characteristics of both an acid and a base, and capable of reacting as either; amphiprotic.
  • Anagrams

    *

    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