What term describes a molecule with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties?

The term that describes a molecule possessing both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) properties is amphipathic. Amphipathic molecules typically contain two distinct regions: one that interacts well with water and another that does not. A common example of amphipathic molecules is phospholipids, which make up cell membranes. The hydrophilic portions orient themselves toward the aqueous environment, while the hydrophobic tails face inward, away from water, creating a bilayer structure essential for cellular function and membrane integrity. This dual nature allows amphipathic molecules to form structures such as micelles and lipid bilayers, which are vital in biological systems.

In contrast, the other terms do not encompass both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. A hydrophilic molecule fully interacts with water, a polar molecule has a recognized dipole moment due to an uneven distribution of charge, and a dipole specifically refers to the separation of charge within a molecule but does not imply the presence of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.