| amphoteric | <biochemistry, chemistry> Having both acidic and basic characteristics. This is true of proteins since they have both acidic and basic side groups (the charges of which balance at the isoelectric point). (05 Feb 1998) |
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| amphoteric electrolyte | An electrolyte that can either give up or take on a hydrogen ion and can thus behave as either an acid or a base. Synonym: ampholyte. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amphoteric element | An element one or more of whose oxides unite with water to form hydroxides that may act as acids or as bases (e.g., aluminum). (05 Mar 2000) |
| amphoteric reaction | A double reaction possessed by certain fluids which have a combination of acid and alkaline properties. (05 Mar 2000) |
| amphotericin | <drug> One of two antifungal antibiotics. Amphotericin A: The less active form of the antibiotic produced by the bacteria Streptomyces nodosus. It is not used clinically. Amphotericin B: An antibiotic produced by the bacteria Streptomyces nodosus which is used to treat a wide variety of fungal infections. Formula: C47H73NO17. (05 Feb 1998) |
| amphotericin B | <drug> An intravenous drug for treatment of cryptococcal meningitis, candidiasis, histoplasmosis and coccidiomycosis and other fungal infections. It is given intravenously. Toxicities are severe and include fevers, chills, headache, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, kidney damage and neutropenia. (05 Feb 1998) |