Question

Define the following:
a. Cationic detergents
b. Broad spectrum antibiotics
c. Tranquilizers

Answer 1

We can classify detergents as anionic detergents, cationic detergents and non-ionic detergents based on the nature of the constituents. We can also classify antibiotics based on the spectrum of their action. We have an important class of drugs that are neurologically active and we can classify them as tranquilizers and analgesics.

Complete answer:
a. We know that synthetic detergents are of three types, namely, anionic detergents, cationic detergents and non-ionic detergents. As the name suggests, in the cationic detergents, it is the cationic part that is responsible for the cleansing action of the detergent. For example, Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide is a cationic detergent as its Cetyltrimethylammonium cations give it the cleansing properties.

b. All antibiotics cannot kill whole ranges of bacteria but differ and can be classified accordingly as broad spectrum antibiotics, narrow spectrum antibiotics and limited spectrum antibiotics. We can define broad spectrum antibiotics as those that are effective against a broad range of gram-positive as well as gram-negative bacteria. We can take Ampicillin and Amoxicillin as examples of broad spectrum antibiotics.

c. We might have encountered a variety of drugs in our lives, among others, we have two types of neurologically active drugs namely, tranquilizers and analgesics. We can define tranquilizers as those neurologically active drugs that make us feel fine by relieving us from anxiety or stress. We can mostly find them in sleeping pills. We can take other examples such as Iproniazid and meprobamate that helps us with mood swings and tension respectively.

Note:
The effect of tranquilizers and analgesics can be understood from the terms “neurologically active drugs” as it suggests that these drugs affect neurological functioning. It is known that these drugs work by affecting the mechanism of message transfer from nerve to receptor.