But what does it actually mean to dissolve then..?
When a solute dissolves in a solvent :
-solute particles separate
-solvent particles separate
-solvent and solute bond (only dissolve if the bonds between solute and solvent is stronger than it is between solvent and solute alone)
^this is like unit 2 chem version of explaining dissolving.
But in regards to biology u just need to know that 'like dissolves like' meaning that polar will only dissolve in polar and non polar in non polar. This is why fats are insoluble in water. Fats are non polar and water is polar. Strong bonds do not form between the two. Polar , however , can dissolve in water because water is polar itself.
Can some please explain to me, does the term 'amphipathic' refer to proteins, or is it something that concerns polar molecules such as water, or all of them? I've found several different definitions and am a little stumped.
Amphipathic in VCE bio is usually used to describe the phospholipid molecule. Amphipathic refers to the fact that a portion of it is hydrophilic/polar (in regards to the phospholipid the phosphate heads) and the other portion is hydrophobic/non polar (fatty acid tails) .
Not sure bout your last q.
Hope this helps