ampholyte, n. Chem.
(ˈæmfəlaɪt)
[f. amphoteric a. + electrolyte n.]
An electrolyte possessing both acidic and basic groups.
| 1921 D. Burns Introd. Biophysics vii. 59 Substances which produce both H· and OH{p} ions on dissociation are called amphoteric electrolytes or ampholytes. 1940 Glasstone Text-bk. Physical Chem. xii. 976 An ampholyte is at its iso-electric point when the extent of ionization as an acid is equal to that as a base. 1982 T. M. Devlin Textbk. Biochem. ii. 43 In electrophoresis, an ampholyte (protein, peptide, or amino acid) in a solution buffered at a particular pH is placed in an electric field. 1989 Jrnl. Exper. Bot. LX. 1017/2 The prolonged, multiple exposures to acid, ampholytes, salts, and other chemicals during sample preparation are a possible cause of this blockage. |