micelle
/mɪˈsɛl
/ /mʌɪˈsɛl /noun Chemistry
An aggregate of molecules in a colloidal solution, such as those formed by detergents.As the polyethylene oxide drew more water out of the fibroin solution, the micelles aggregated into microscopic globules....
- The team made micelles from polymer molecules that have a water-attracting end and a water-avoiding end.
- The SDS molecules group together to form negatively charged micelles.
Derivatives
micellar
- In fact, the affinity of anions toward cationic micellar aggregates, that is the degree of counterion binding, has been found to follow the Hofmeister series.
- When the average diameter is less than 100 the system is called a micellar emulsion.
- As the concentration of the detergent decreases from these lipid-detergent and lipid-protein-detergent micellar solutions, lipid bilayers are progressively formed in which the transmembrane proteins are incorporated.
Origin
Late 19th century: coined as a diminutive of Latin mica 'crumb'.