Question

Calamine is used to reduce the irritating effects of ant bite/sting because it reacts with (X) released due to the bite/sting of the ants with (Y)present in calamine. Then (X) and (Y) respectively are
A) Sodium hydrogen carbonate and formic acid
B) Formic acid and zinc carbonate
C) Acetic acid and common salt
D) Hydrochloric acid and zinc oxide

Answer 1

Hint:Ant sting contains a weak organic acid namely formic acid and Calamine contains zinc carbonate.

Complete Answer:
It’s important to be aware that bites or stings from insects can cause a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in some people. If a person is stung, the ant will puncture the skin and leave behind venom. It thus contains a combination of very strong inflammatory chemicals to result in such an allergic reaction.
🡺The skin around the area you were stung is likely to be red and painful, and the person may experience some swelling around the sting mark.
🡺It’s also quite common that the ants will leave behind its 'sting' with or without venom. Stings generally clear up within two days (48 hours) although the area may be tender for a few days after this.
🡺The (X) and (Y) respectively are formic acid and zinc carbonate. Formic acid is present in the bite /sting of ants and zinc carbonate is present in calamine. Formic acid is neutralized with zinc carbonate.

Additional information:Itching is a common irritation of the skin that makes a person want to scratch the itchy area. It can occur anywhere on the body, and can be very frustrating and uncomfortable. Itching may occur on a small part of the body, for example around the area of an insect bite, or it can affect the whole body, such as with an allergic reaction.

Hence, the correct option is B (Formic acid and zinc carbonate).

Note:Calamine solution contains $ ZnCO_3$​(base) and ant's sting contains formic acid. The reaction between acid and base neutralises the irritating effect of an ant's sting.