Based on the structure of this surfactant (which has has a hydrophobic to hydrophilic ratio of 1:1), which of the following statements are true?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Let’s break down what the question is asking about this surfactant and its structure.
Option a: The surfactant will likely form micelles. Micelle formation is favored when the packing parameter p is less than 1/3, which typically corresponds to small head groups relative to a single tail, or certain geometric constraints. Given the description that the hydrophobic to hydrophilic ratio is 1:1 and the schematic shows a two-tail amphiphile with a bulky head region, this setup is more conducive to bilayer structures rather than small micelles. Therefore, micelle formation is not the most likely behavior for this molecule.
Option b: This is an ionic surfactant which will have a higher aggregation number in high salt concentrations. The provided structure appears non-ionic (no obvious charged groups such as sulfate, carboxylate, or quaternary ammonium in the head). If it were ionic, salt would screen electrostatic repulsion and could increase aggregation number, but the molecule looks non-ionic, so assuming ionic behavior here would be incorrect.
Option c: None of the statements are true. Since there are plausible statements that are true (d and e), this option is incorrect. It’s not the case that none of the statements hold.
Option d: The surfactant will likely be able to form liposomes. Liposome formation arises from amphiphiles that adopt approximately a 1:1 or similar hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic balance and have enough hydrophobic volume to span a bilayer, enabling vesicle (liposome) formation. The described 1:1 ratio and the shown diacyl-type hydrophobic tails support bilayer-like organization, making liposome formation plausible.
Option e: This is a non-ionic surfactant. The structure shown does not display a charged head group; it resembles a neutral, uncharged amphiphile. Thus, it is appropriate to classify it as non-ionic.
In summary, reasoning supports that options d and e are true while a, b, and c are not, with the justification rooted in packing considerations (lipid-like bilayer propensity) and the absence of ionic character in the head group. The distinctions between micelle formation and bilayer vesicle formation hinge on the packing parameter and molecular geometry, which align with a 1:1 hydrophobic-to-hydrophilic balance favoring liposomes in this case.

BPS3071 S1 2025 Mid Semester Test

Based on the structure of this surfactant (which has has a hydrophobic to hydrophilic ratio of 1:1), which of the following statements are true?

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