Glossary - A

adsorption

The retention of molecules at the surface of an interface. To gather on a surface in a condensed layer.

amino acids

Molecules containing the amino group (-NH₂) and a carboxyl group ( -COOH) attached to the central carbon atom. Amino acids are the subunits from which proteins are constructed.

amphiphile

A molecule that is amphiphilic.

amphiphilic

Amphiphilic means `loving both'. One end of the molecule is hydrophilic (`water loving', polar) and the other is hydrophobic (`water hating', nonpolar)