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

Disinfectants are chemical agents designed to destroy microorganisms. Drug targets is a molecule used to address the desired therapeutic effect. Anionic detergent is a long hydrocarbon chain.

Complete answer:
(1) Disinfectants are chemical agents designed to inactivate or destroy microorganisms on inert surfaces. Disinfection does not necessarily kill all microorganisms, it is less effective than sterilization which is an extreme physical or chemical process that kills all types of life. They are generally distinguished from other antimicrobial agents such as antibiotics or antiseptics. They are also different from biocides as biocides are intended to destroy all forms of life and not just microorganisms. They work by destroying the cell wall of microbes or interfering with their metabolism. There are various examples of disinfectants. They are Alcohol, Chlorine, Formaldehyde, Glutaraldehyde, Hydrogen peroxide etc.
(2) The macromolecules that are chosen as drug targets include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Drug target is a molecule in the body, usually a protein, that is intrinsically associated with a particular disease process and that could be addressed by a drug to produce a desired therapeutic effect. Macromolecules are large molecules that are important for life and are built from smaller organic molecules. It is composed of polymerization of smaller subunits called monomers. Most common macromolecules in biochemistry are biopolymers. Also, high concentrations of macromolecules in a solution can alter the rates and equilibrium constants of the reactions.
(3) Anionic detergent is a synthetic detergent in which a lipophilic hydrocarbon group of the molecule is an anion. A detergent molecule consists of a long hydrocarbon chain and a water-soluble negative ionic group. Some examples of anionic detergents are Sodium n-dodecyl benzene sulfonate and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate. They are used in household work and toothpaste.

Note: Examples of disinfectants are alcohol, chlorine etc. Examples of macromolecules are carbohydrates, proteins etc. and examples of anionic detergent are Sodium n-dodecyl benzene sulfonate and sodium Lauryl sulphate.