Question

Aarav got stung by a honey bee and was writhing in pain. Watching this, his brother Arjun rushed to the bathroom, produced some toothpaste, and rubbed it profusely over the sting.

1. Which chemical did the honey bee inject into Aarav while stinging him?
2. What reaction will happen upon the application of toothpaste?
3. What value did Arjun exhibit in his reaction to his brother’s agony?

Answer 1

a.

• Honey bee-stung releases Formic acid $\left(\mathrm{HCOOH}\right)$.
• It is a weak organic acid that causes pain when a bee injects it through our skin.
• It also has chemicals like Histamine and Hyaluronidase.
• As a home remedy, when Baking soda and neem leaves are applied, one could get quick relief.

b.

• The toothpaste we use generally contains Fluoride and it is slightly alkaline. This alkaline nature helps in nullifying all the acids present in our mouth on the bacterial decomposition of carbohydrates we intake through sugar-containing edibles.
• And bee sting contains Formic acid.
• So, to neutralize this effect toothpaste could be used.
• So neutralization reaction would happen upon the application of toothpaste, which will nullify the effect of Formic acid.

c.

• When Aarav got stung by a bee, he was in pain and need immediate attention to the cause.
• Arjun understood this and aided him. The value that Arjun exhibits is brotherhood, kindness, empathy, and humanity.
• Helping his brother get out of the situation showed his brotherhood.
• Aarav was in pain, so curing him showed his kindness, empathy, and humanity.