Hydrophilic

Hydrophilic describes a substance's ability to attract and interact with water. These materials can dissolve in water or form strong bonds with water molecules. For example, sugar is hydrophilic because it dissolves readily in water, while substances like oil are hydrophobic and do not mix well with water. This property is important in many biological and chemical processes, such as how cell membranes work or how cleaning agents remove dirt and grease. Essentially, hydrophilic substances have an affinity for water, facilitating mixing or bonding with it.