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Amphoteric vs Amphiphilic - What's the difference?

amphoteric | amphiphilic |

As adjectives the difference between amphoteric and amphiphilic

is that amphoteric is having the characteristics of both an acid and a base, and capable of reacting as either; amphiprotic while amphiphilic is being a detergent: having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic (or lipophilic) 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

    *

    amphiphilic

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (chemistry, of a molecule) Being a detergent: having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic (or lipophilic) groups.
  • (biochemistry, of a protein, especially an alpha helix) Having one surface consisting of hydrophilic amino acids and the opposite surface consisting of hydrophobic (or lipophilic) ones.

    • See also

    * amphipathic * amphiprotic * amphoteric * surfactant