AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Having an affinity for water. A membrane which will wet with aqueous (water) solutions. Hydrophilic membranes are generally chosen for use with aqueous solutions.

Detailed explanation-2: -Hydrophobic and hydrophilic are opposites. The word stem ‘hydr’ comes from the greek ‘hydor’ meaning water, therefore hydrophobic materials are ‘water-fearing’, and do not mix with water, whereas hydrophilic materials are ‘water-loving’ and have a tendency to be wetted by water.

Detailed explanation-3: -Hydrophilic, as defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, is, “of, relating to, or having a strong affinity for water.” This essentially means the ability to mix well, dissolve, or to be attracted to water.

Detailed explanation-4: -Materials with a special affinity for water-those it spreads across, maximizing contact-are known as hydrophilic. Those that naturally repel water, causing droplets to form, are known as hydrophobic.

Detailed explanation-5: -Hydrophobic is a property of molecules that do not mix with water. The definition of hydrophobic can be sorted out from the Greek etymology of the word. “Hydro” means water and “phobic” means fearing. Thus, hydrophobic molecules, also called hydrophobes, are water fearing molecules.