Question

Disulfide bonds broken by hydroxide relaxers can never be ________.

1) reformed
2) weakened
3) strengthened
4) removed

Answer 1

Disulfide bonds broken by hydroxide relaxers can indeed be reformed using an oxidizing agent, which creates a permanent change in hair until new growth occurs. These bonds are harder to break than hydrogen bonds because they are covalent bonds, which are inherently stronger.

Step-by-step explanation:

Disulfide bonds broken by hydroxide relaxers can never be reformed. When a reducing agent is applied to hair, these bonds are disrupted, allowing the alpha-helices within the hair's proteins to shift positions. Afterwards, an oxidizing agent such as hydrogen peroxide, also known as a neutralizer, is used to reform the disulfide bonds in their new positions. This change is permanent and lasts until new hair grows since the treatment does not affect new hair growth.

In regard to the difficulty in breaking disulfide bonds compared to hydrogen bonds, the answer is that covalent bonds, such as disulfide bonds, are stronger than hydrogen bonds. This is why harsh chemicals are required to disrupt disulfide bonds in the hair, while heat can easily break hydrogen bonds.