Question

Explain how washing your hands with soap can prevent the spread of bacteria.Use the basic mechanism of action of surfactants and CMC to explain this process.

Answer 1

Any given soap when rubbed in the presence of water, forms a structure with pin headed molecules called as a Micelle. This Micelle have a hydrophillic head which attracts water molecules and the tail is hydrophobic which attracts the dirt. Dirt molecules are nothing but fat and grease.
Now in general, various bacteria, viruses or common pathogens have a lipid membrane with two bands of hydrophobic tails between two rings of hydrophilic heads. Just like a dirt molecule.
Therefore when we wash hands with soap, these pathogens are glued towards the hydrophobic tails of soap molecules. Thus cleaning our hands.