Question

(1) What are disinfectants? Give an example.
(2) Give two examples of macromolecules that are chosen as drug targets.
(3) What are anionic detergents? Give an example.

Answer 1

(1) A chemical substance which kills microorganisms or stops their growth but is not safe to be applied to the living tissues is called disinfectants. For example, chlorine in concentrations of $0.2$ to $0.4$ppm is used for sterilisation of water to make it fit for drinking.

(2) Biomolecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, liquids and nucleic acids are chosen as drug targets.

(3) Anionic detergents: These are so named because a large part of their molecules are anions and it is the anionic part of the molecules which is involved in the cleansing action.

Examples: Anionic detergents are used in household work and toothpaste.