Question

What are Micelle?

Answer 1

Micelles are the chemical structures that have hydrophilic and hydrophobic structures. One can elaborate on its definition and chemical properties. They are present in the aqueous medium and they are present in the spherical form.

Complete step by step answer:

1. First of all we will see the definition of the micelle. The micelles are the lipid molecules that are formed by the association of colloids in an aqueous medium.
2. Now let us discuss micelles and their properties. The micelles are the lipid molecules that means they are formed due to the amphipathic nature of the fatty acids. This means that these molecules have a hydrophilic region and a hydrophobic region in it.
3. The micelle molecules have polar head groups that are presently facing towards the outer surface of the molecules. Due to this, they are insoluble in water and present in the dispersed phase in the water solvent.
4. The fatty acids in the micelle have a single hydrocarbon chain instead of more than one which gives them a spherical shape to the molecules and they form small molecules in the water.
5. Now let us see an example of the micelle. An excellent example of micelles is how soaps work. The dirt is made up of an oil or some non-polar compounds in it. The hydrophobic end in the soap which is non-polar sticks on to the dirt and the hydrophilic end which is polar forms a bond with the water. And this way the dirty clothes are washed away by soap.

Note:
In most of the cases the micelles are formed in an ideal temperature of the medium which is called the Kraft temperature and a specific concentration of electrolytes which is called the Critical Micelle Concentration in the medium.