Lipophilic, derived from the Greek words 'lipos' (fat) and 'philos' (loving), describes a substance's affinity for lipids (fats) and nonpolar solvents. It signifies a tendency to dissolve in or mix readily with fats, oils, and other lipid-based materials, while demonstrating limited or no solubility in water or other polar solvents. This characteristic is crucial in various scientific fields, affecting drug absorption, cell membrane interactions, and environmental behavior of chemicals. The degree of lipophilicity is often quantified by the partition coefficient (LogP or LogD), reflecting the compound's distribution between an organic solvent (like octanol) and water.
Lipophilic meaning with examples
- Many pharmaceuticals are designed to be lipophilic to enhance their absorption through cell membranes, which are composed of a lipid bilayer. This allows the drug to effectively reach its target within the body, and also plays a role in brain permeability. For instance, a lipophilic painkiller is able to pass the blood brain barrier more effectively than a hydrophilic one.
- The effectiveness of certain pesticides hinges on their lipophilic nature. These pesticides penetrate the waxy cuticle of insects or are readily absorbed by lipid-rich tissues. This leads to effective pest control and a longer-lasting protection for crops. But these pesticides, if not handled properly, can cause environmental harm.
- Vitamins A, D, E, and K are lipophilic vitamins. This means they are stored in the body's fat tissues and liver, rather than being excreted in urine. This explains why excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins can lead to toxicity, unlike water-soluble vitamins which can easily be washed from the system.
- Cosmetics, such as certain creams and lotions, often contain lipophilic ingredients like fatty acids and oils, to improve skin absorption and impart emollient properties. This contributes to a smoother feeling skin, but may result in clogging the pores in certain individuals and thus lead to acne breakouts.
- The environmental impact of some pollutants, like certain organic toxins, is amplified by their lipophilic nature. They accumulate in the fatty tissues of organisms, through a process called bioaccumulation and biomagnification, thereby causing potential harm in the food chain, with higher concentrations as you go up.
Lipophilic Synonyms
apolar-philic fat-soluble hydrophobic lipotropic oleophilicLipophilic Antonyms
hydrophilic lipophobic polar-philic water-solubleLipophilic Crossword Answers
10 Letters
LIPOTROPIC