Chemistry in Everyday Life Exercise 16

Question:

Why do soaps not work in hard water ?

Answer:

Step 1: Understand the meaning of the question.

Step 2: Research the properties of hard water and the ingredients of soap.

Step 3: Understand how the properties of hard water interact with the ingredients of soap.

Step 4: Formulate an answer to the question based on the research.

Answer: Soaps do not work in hard water because the calcium and magnesium ions in the water react with the soap molecules, forming an insoluble precipitate that cannot lather.

Question:

Why is use of aspartame limited to cold foods and drinks ?

Answer:

  1. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has a bitter aftertaste when heated.

  2. This bitter aftertaste limits the use of aspartame to cold foods and drinks, as the taste of the food or drink is not affected when it is cold.

Question:

Why should not medicines be taken without consulting doctors ?

Answer:

  1. Medicines are powerful drugs that can have potentially serious side effects if taken without proper medical supervision.

  2. Doctors are trained professionals who can assess a person’s medical condition and determine what medications, if any, are necessary for a particular condition.

  3. Doctors can also monitor a person’s response to the medication and adjust the dosage or type of medication if needed.

  4. Taking medications without consulting a doctor can result in an incorrect diagnosis, incorrect dosage, or an adverse reaction to the medication.

  5. Furthermore, taking medications without consulting a doctor can also lead to drug interactions with other medications a person may be taking, which can have serious consequences.

Question:

Define the term chemotherapy.

Answer:

  1. Chemotherapy is a type of medical treatment used to treat cancer and other diseases.

  2. It involves the use of drugs or medications to destroy or slow the growth of cancer cells.

  3. Chemotherapy is typically administered intravenously, orally, or topically, depending on the type of cancer and the patient’s particular needs.

  4. It is often used in combination with other treatments, such as radiation therapy, surgery, or immunotherapy.

Question:

What is meant by the term broad spectrum antibiotics? Explain.

Answer:

Answer: Broad spectrum antibiotics are a type of antibiotic that is effective in treating a wide range of bacterial infections. These antibiotics are effective against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which are the two main types of bacteria. Broad spectrum antibiotics are often used when the specific type of bacteria causing the infection is unknown. They can also be used to treat infections caused by multiple types of bacteria. Broad spectrum antibiotics are typically more powerful than other types of antibiotics and can be used to treat more serious infections.

Question:

Why are cimetidine and ranitidine better antacids than sodium hydrogen carbonate or magnesium or aluminium hydroxide ?

Answer:

  1. Cimetidine and ranitidine are better antacids than sodium hydrogen carbonate or magnesium or aluminium hydroxide because they are H2 blockers and reduce the amount of stomach acid produced.

  2. This helps to reduce the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion by neutralizing the excess acid in the stomach and providing relief from the burning sensation in the chest.

  3. Cimetidine and ranitidine also have fewer side effects than sodium hydrogen carbonate or magnesium or aluminium hydroxide, which can cause diarrhoea and stomach upset.

  4. Furthermore, cimetidine and ranitidine work faster than sodium hydrogen carbonate or magnesium or aluminium hydroxide, providing relief from heartburn and indigestion in a shorter period of time.

Question:

Can you use soaps and synthetic detergents to check the hardness of water ?

Answer:

  1. Yes, soaps and synthetic detergents can be used to check the hardness of water.

  2. The hardness of water is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium ions present in it.

  3. Soaps and synthetic detergents react with these ions to form insoluble precipitates, which can be measured to determine the hardness of the water.

Question:

How are synthetic detergents better than soaps ?

Answer:

Step 1: Identify the question being asked.

The question being asked is “How are synthetic detergents better than soaps?”

Step 2: Research the answer to the question.

Synthetic detergents are better than soaps because they are more effective at removing dirt and oils from fabrics, have better foaming and lathering properties, are more soluble in hard water, and require fewer raw materials to produce. They also have a longer shelf life than soap and are more stable in extreme temperatures.

Question:

What are the main constituents of dettol ?

Answer:

Step 1: Research the information about the main constituents of Dettol.

Step 2: Analyze the information gathered and identify the main constituents of Dettol.

Step 3: Summarize the information and list the main constituents of Dettol.

Question:

Name a substance which can be used as an antiseptic as well as disinfectant.

Answer:

Answer: Chlorhexidine

Question:

How do antiseptics differ from disinfectants ? Give one example of each.

Answer:

  1. Antiseptics are substances that are applied to the skin or living tissue to reduce the risk of infection. Disinfectants are substances that are used on inanimate objects and surfaces to reduce the risk of infection.

  2. An example of an antiseptic is alcohol-based hand sanitizer, which is applied to the hands to reduce the risk of infection. An example of a disinfectant is bleach, which is used to clean surfaces and reduce the risk of infection.

Question:

Name the macromolecules that are chosen as drug targets.

Answer:

  1. Identify the type of macromolecule (e.g. proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids) that are commonly chosen as drug targets.

  2. Research the specific macromolecules that are chosen as drug targets (e.g. enzymes, receptors, ion channels).

  3. Name the macromolecules that are chosen as drug targets (e.g. cytochrome P450 enzymes, G-protein coupled receptors, voltage-gated ion channels).

Question:

Low level of noradrenaline is the cause of depression. What type of drugs are needed to cure this problem ? Name two drugs.

Answer:

  1. Since low levels of noradrenaline are the cause of depression, drugs that increase noradrenaline levels in the brain are needed to cure this problem.

  2. Two drugs that are commonly used to treat depression and increase noradrenaline levels in the brain are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (NRIs).

Question:

Label the hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts in the following compounds. (i) CH3​(CH2​)10​CH2​OSO3​N+a (ii) CH3​(CH2​)15​N+(CH3​)3​Br (iii) CH3​(CH2​)16​COO(CH2​CH2​O)n​CH2​CH2​OH

Answer:

(i) Hydrophilic: OSO3​N+a Hydrophobic: CH3​(CH2​)10​CH2​

(ii) Hydrophilic: N+ Hydrophobic: CH3​(CH2​)15​(CH3​)3​Br

(iii) Hydrophilic: COO(CH2​CH2​O)n​CH2​CH2​OH Hydrophobic: CH3​(CH2​)16​

Question:

What are artificial sweetening agents ? Give two examples.

Answer:

Answer:

  1. Artificial sweetening agents are substances that are used to sweeten food and beverages without the addition of calories.

  2. Examples of artificial sweetening agents include aspartame and sucralose.

Question:

What problem arises in using alitame as artificial sweetener ?

Answer:

Step 1: Research the artificial sweetener alitame.

Step 2: Identify potential problems associated with alitame.

Step 3: Analyze the potential problems to determine which ones are most relevant to the question.

Step 4: State the problem(s) that arise in using alitame as an artificial sweetener.

Question:

Name the sweetening agent used in the preparation of sweets for a diabetic patient.

Answer:

Answer: The sweetening agent used in the preparation of sweets for a diabetic patient is a sugar substitute, such as Stevia, Monk Fruit, or Xylitol.

Question:

What are food preservatives ?

Answer:

Step 1: Understand what a food preservative is.

Step 2: Research information about food preservatives.

Step 3: Read through the information to gain a better understanding of food preservatives.

Step 4: Summarize the information to gain a better understanding of food preservatives.

Question:

Explain the cleansing action of soaps.

Answer:

  1. Soaps are surfactants, which means they have a hydrophobic (water-fearing) end and a hydrophilic (water-loving) end.

  2. When soap is mixed with water, the hydrophobic end attaches to oil and dirt particles, while the hydrophilic end attaches to the water molecules.

  3. The attached particles are then broken down into smaller pieces, making it easier to wash them away.

  4. Soaps also help to suspend the dirt and oil particles in the water, making it easier for them to be washed away.

  5. The cleansing action of soaps helps to remove dirt, oil, and other impurities from the skin, leaving it feeling clean and refreshed.

Question:

If water contains dissolved calcium hydrogencarbonate, out of soaps and synthetic detergents which one will you use for cleaning clothes ?

Answer:

  1. Determine the type of water you are dealing with (i.e. contains dissolved calcium hydrogencarbonate).

  2. Decide which cleaning agent would be most effective for the type of water you are dealing with. Soaps are generally better for hard water, while synthetic detergents are better for soft water.

  3. Choose the cleaning agent which is most suitable for the type of water you are dealing with. If the water contains dissolved calcium hydrogencarbonate, then soaps are the best choice for cleaning clothes.

Question:

What is tincture of iodine? What is its use?

Answer:

  1. Tincture of iodine is a solution of iodine in alcohol.

  2. It is commonly used as a topical antiseptic to prevent infection caused by minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. It can also be used to treat fungal infections of the skin, such as athlete’s foot.

Question:

Explain the following terms with suitable examples. (i) cationic detergents (ii) anionic detergents and (iii) non-ionic detergents.

Answer:

(i) Cationic detergents: Cationic detergents are detergents that contain positively charged ions. These detergents are often used in fabric softeners and shampoos, as they help to reduce static cling and make fabrics softer. Examples of cationic detergents include quaternary ammonium compounds, such as benzalkonium chloride.

(ii) Anionic detergents: Anionic detergents are detergents that contain negatively charged ions. These detergents are often used in laundry detergents and dishwashing liquids, as they help to remove dirt and grease from surfaces. Examples of anionic detergents include sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate.

(iii) Non-ionic detergents: Non-ionic detergents are detergents that do not contain any ions. These detergents are often used in industrial cleaners and degreasers, as they do not react with other chemicals. Examples of non-ionic detergents include polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol.

Question:

Which forces are involved in holding the drugs to the active site of enzymes ?

Answer:

  1. First, it is important to understand what enzymes and active sites are. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions and active sites are the specific parts of the enzyme that interact with the substrate molecules.

  2. Next, it is important to understand what forces are involved in holding the drugs to the active site of enzymes. These forces include hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, van der Waals forces, and covalent bonding.

Question:

Explain the term, target molecules or drug targets as used in medicinal chemistry.

Answer:

  1. Target molecules or drug targets are molecules within the body that can be affected by a drug or other molecule.

  2. These molecules can be receptors, enzymes, or other proteins that are involved in a biological process.

  3. When a drug or other molecule binds to a target molecule, it can cause a change in the target molecule’s activity or function.

  4. This can result in a change in the activity of the biological process, leading to a desired therapeutic effect.

  5. In medicinal chemistry, target molecules are studied to identify potential drugs that can interact with them and produce the desired therapeutic effect.

Question:

Why do we need to classify drugs in different ways ?

Answer:

  1. We need to classify drugs in different ways in order to better understand their effects on the body and their potential uses.

  2. By classifying drugs into different categories, we can make more informed decisions about their safety and efficacy.

  3. Classification also helps to categorize drugs according to their chemical structure, which can help us to better understand how they interact with the body and how they might be used to treat different conditions.

  4. Additionally, classification can help to identify potential side effects associated with certain drugs, which can be used to inform doctors and other healthcare professionals about the potential risks of prescribing the drug.

  5. Finally, classifying drugs in different ways allows us to better understand the potential for drug abuse and addiction, and to develop more effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Question:

What are biodegradable and non-biodegradable detergents ? Give one example of each.

Answer:

  1. Biodegradable detergents are detergents that can be broken down by bacteria and other organisms into simpler substances that are not harmful to the environment. An example of a biodegradable detergent is a plant-based detergent.

  2. Non-biodegradable detergents are detergents that cannot be broken down by bacteria and other organisms, and remain in the environment as pollutants. An example of a non-biodegradable detergent is a petroleum-based detergent.