Here's a breakdown:
* Hydro- comes from the Greek word for "water".
* -philic comes from the Greek word for "loving".
So, hydrophilic molecules are attracted to water molecules due to their chemical properties. They often have polar groups or charges that can form hydrogen bonds with water.
Examples of hydrophilic substances:
* Sugar
* Salt
* Alcohol
* Proteins
* Cellulose
Opposite of Hydrophilic:
The opposite of hydrophilic is hydrophobic, which means "water-fearing". These substances are repelled by water and don't dissolve in it. Examples include oils and fats.