Oregon Esthetician State Board

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Get ready for the Oregon Esthetician State Board examination with a comprehensive quiz. Study flashcards and multiple choice questions to enhance your knowledge and confidence. Prepare effectively for your esthetician certification.

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Which term describes a solution that can dissolve both oil and water?

Amphiphilic
Hydrophilic
Hydrophobic
Hypotonic

The correct answer is: Amphiphilic

The term that describes a solution capable of dissolving both oil and water is amphiphilic. Amphiphilic substances feature two distinct chemical properties: one part of the molecule is hydrophilic, meaning it is attracted to water, while the other part is hydrophobic, which means it repels water but can interact with oils and fats. This duality allows amphiphilic compounds to emulsify oils in water, making them essential in various applications such as cosmetics, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. Hydrophilic refers only to substances that are attracted to water and do not have the affinity for oils, while hydrophobic describes substances that repel water, indicating a lack of solubility in water without being able to interact with oils either. Hypotonic specifically relates to solutions with lower solute concentration compared to another solution and does not pertain to solubility in terms of oil and water. Thus, among the options given, the term amphiphilic accurately represents the ability to dissolve both types of substances.