Final answer:
Surfactants are key components in soaps and detergents with two essential parts: a hydrophobic and a hydrophilic part, which work together to remove oils from the hair by acting as a bridge between oil and water. The correct answer to the student's question is A. Hydrophobic part and hydrophilic part.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surfactants, also known as surface-active agents, are compounds that are used to remove oils from the hair and are key ingredients in soaps and detergents. These molecules are designed to have two distinct parts: a hydrophobic part and a hydrophilic part. The hydrophobic part, which is the nonpolar hydrocarbon end, is attracted to oil and grease. Conversely, the hydrophilic part, which is the ionic end, interacts with water. When surfactants are used in cleaning, their molecular structure acts as a bridge between the nonpolar oils and the polar water molecules, effectively allowing the dirt and oils to be suspended and washed away. Therefore, the two parts of surfactants that remove oils from the hair are the: A. Hydrophobic part and hydrophilic part.