Question

Micelles are used in ______.
A) Detergents
B) Petroleum recovery
C) Magnetic separation
D) All of these

Answer 1

Hint: The micelles are made by using an array of solutions that are added to water which is an aqueous solution. So, one can apply this concept and analyze the given options and think which can form micelles.

Complete step by step answer:
1) First of all let us understand what micelles are, they are made up of a cumulative formation of amphipathic molecules present in an aqueous solution. In other words, we can say that it is formed by an array of solutions which is added to water.
2) Now let us talk about the detergents which are amphipathic molecules that have polar or charged hydrophilic groups present at the end of long lipophilic hydrocarbon groups. The detergents are also called surfactants because they cause a decrease in the surface tension of water.
3) The structural characteristics of detergents allow them to aggregate in aqueous media and when they are present in high concentration, the polar hydrophilic region of each molecule is positioned toward the polar solute which is water. Since the regions which are hydrophobically gathered together to form thermodynamically stable micelles with hydrophobic cores.
4) The core region of detergent which is hydrophobic micelle gets associated with the surface of proteins which is hydrophobic in nature and forms the soluble protein-detergent complexes.
5) Therefore, the micelles are used in detergents

So, the correct answer is Option A .

Note:
The micelles are generally used in chromatography and electrophoresis processes as a media of separation. They are very essential for the human body which plays an important role to remove the complex lipids and fat-soluble vitamins. The detergents allow the extraction of membrane proteins through solubilization by the formation of micelles which can trap the hydrophobic molecules into these micelles.