Question

Explain the following:
A.Antiseptics
B.Artificial sweeteners
C.Antacids

Answer 1

Antiseptics, artificial sweeteners and antacids are drugs which are used in everyday life. Drugs are used in prevention or treatment or cure of diseases in humans. Artificial sweeteners and antacids are used for internal use and antiseptic is used for external skin.

Complete step by step answer:
(A)Antiseptics-
-Antiseptics are applied to living tissues such as wounds, cuts, ulcers and diseased skin surfaces. Their properties are-
-They are drugs which when applied to the tissues kill the bacteria and prevent the infection by stopping their growth.
-They do not heal the wound or cut. They just stop the infection.
Some antiseptics we use are-
-Dettol is a mixture of chloroxylenol and terpineol. It is commonly used in our houses.
-Bithional is added to soaps to impart antiseptic properties to the soap.
-Iodoform is also used as an antiseptic for wounds.
-Boric acid in its dilute form is used as a weak antiseptic for eyes.

(B)Artificial sweeteners-
-Artificial sweeteners are synthesized in laboratories by chemical processes. They do not occur in nature. Their properties are-
-They are used as a substitute of sugar.
-They are used to sweeten the food without adding the calories to our body.
-They have no nutritive value.
-Some examples of artificial sweeteners are-
1.Saccharine is the first popular artificial sweetening agent which is $550$ times more sweet than cane sugar. It is used by diabetic patients and people who need to control their calorie intake.
2.Alitame is an artificial sweetening agent which is stable at high temperatures so it can be used in cooking and baking. It is $2000$ times sweeter than cane sugar.
3.Sucralose is also an artificial sweetening agent which is stable at high temperatures and can be used in cooking food. It is $600$ times sweeter than cane sugar.
4.Aspartame is an artificial sweetener which is stable only in cold conditions so it is used in cold drinks and soft drinks. It is $100$ times sweeter than cane sugar.

(C)Antacid-
Antacids are the chemicals which are used to reduce the acidity of the stomach. Their properties are-
-They are basic in nature so they neutralize the excess acid in the stomach.
-They only control the symptoms and are not used as a treatment for the cause.
-Their pH range is $7$ to $8$.
Some examples are-
1.Sodium hydrogen carbonate or a mixture of aluminium and magnesium hydroxide are used as antacids to treat acidity.

Note:
Antiseptics and disinfectants are not the same. Antiseptics are used for living tissues while disinfectant is used for inanimate objects like floors, instruments. Although one substance can acts as an antiseptic and also as a disinfectant like-
$0.2\%$ solution of phenol is used as antiseptic while $1\%$ solution is used as disinfectant.