Ampholyte is a term used in chemistry to describe a molecule or ion that can behave both as an acid and base. This property of ampholytes is also known as amphoteric. In other words, they can donate or accept a proton depending on the environment and conditions. Other synonyms for ampholytes include amphiprotic, dipolar ions, and zwitterions. Amphiprotic refers to molecules that can act as both an acid and a base in the same reaction. Dipolar ions are molecules that have two opposite charges, positive and negative, and they can interact with both acidic and basic solutions. Zwitterions are molecules that have both positive and negative charges, but the net charge is neutral.