Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
amphoteric electrolyte

amphoteric electrolyte

8.2
A substance that can act as an acid or a base depending on the liquid it is in
  • noun
  • /æmˈfoʊtɛrɪk ˌɛlɛktroʊlaɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : electrolito amfotérico
  • Water is an example of an amphoteric electrolyte because it can donate or accept protons depending on the environment.

Examples

  • Certain amino acids behave as amphoteric electrolytes under physiological conditions.

  • Many proteins function as amphoteric electrolytes in biological systems.

  • The concept of an amphoteric electrolyte is important in understanding acid-base reactions in chemistry.

  • Water is an example of an amphoteric electrolyte.

  • Water is an example of an amphoteric electrolyte because it can either donate or accept protons depending on the pH of the solution.

  • Many proteins act as amphoteric electrolytes, as they can function as acids or bases in biological processes.

  • Certain amino acids behave as amphoteric electrolytes by exhibiting both acidic and basic properties in different environments.

Synonyms

ampholyte
vsamphoteric electrolyte
  • Specialized
9.9

A substance that can act as an acid or a base depending on how acidic the liquid is

is the same in meaning but uses a different name form

Surface Forms

amphoteric electrolyte singular
amphoteric electrolytes plural

Morphology

amphoteric + electrolyte

The phrase is a straightforward adjective–noun combination: an 'electrolyte' (a substance/solution that conducts via ions) that is 'amphoteric' (able to act as an acid or a base). Because the meaning is compositionally derived from the known constituent meanings and follows a standard modifier + head noun pattern, a learner who knows both words can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The term amphoteric electrolyte combines amphoteric, meaning able to be both, and electrolyte, a substance in a liquid. One easy image is a tiny chemical that can either 'give' a hydrogen and act as an 'acid' or 'take' a hydrogen and act as a 'base', so it can behave like both depending on the liquid around it.