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Hydrophobic vs Amphipathic - What's the difference?

hydrophobic | amphipathic |

As adjectives the difference between hydrophobic and amphipathic

is that hydrophobic is of, or having hydrophobia (rabies) while amphipathic is describing a molecule, such as a detergent, which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.

hydrophobic

English

Etymology 1

Adjective

(-)
  • Of, or having hydrophobia (rabies).
    • Related terms
    * (hydrophobia) aquaphobic

    Etymology 2

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (physics, chemistry) Lacking an affinity for water; unable to absorb, or be wetted by water.
    • Related terms
    * (lacking an affinity for water) hydrophobe
    Derived terms
    * (lacking an affinity for water) superhydrophobic
    Antonyms
    * (lacking an affinity for water) hydrophilic
    Related terms
    * (lacking an affinity for water) oleophobic

    amphipathic

    English

    (wikipedia 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