Question

List the uses of detergents.

Answer 1

Hint: The detergents are the amphipathic molecules with a polar head group and a nonpolar tail. It is used as the cleaning agent in our house-hold. It is used for washing clothes, basins, oil spills and stains.

Complete step by step answer:
We will begin by knowing What detergents are. Then we will see their uses.
So, the detergents are the sodium or potassium long chains of organic acids. These are surfactant molecules that combine with impurities and dirt to make them soluble in water. These are like soaps but work good even in hard water.

Now, let us see their uses -
a.) Basically, these are used as cleaning agents for washing of clothes and dishes.
b.) The detergents increase the softness of the water.
c.) These can absorb the oil spills on the floor and thus helps in cleaning the floor also.
d.) Powdered detergents can be used to kill weeds and mosses.
e.) The detergents work in acidic conditions where soaps can not work.
f.) The detergents can be used to clean tiles, floors, basins etc.
g.) The detergents are even used in labs for cell permeabilization, cell lysis, gel electrophoresis etc.
h.) These are also used for blocking non specific binding and solubilizing and crystallizing the membrane proteins.

Note: The surfactants used to make detergents are made from petrochemical solutions like sulphur trioxide, oleo chemicals etc. The alkali ions used are sodium and potassium. The detergents having linear hydrocarbon chains are biodegradable in nature. These are more soluble in water and have a stronger action than soaps.