Multiple choice

Melanin provides the skin and hair its natural colour. Which of the following salts is used to bleach melanin ?

  1. Copper sulphate

  2. Potassium permanganate

  3. Nickel chloride

  4. Magnesium sulphate
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Potassium permanganate is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula KMnO4. It is a salt consisting of K+ and MnO4− ions. It is a strong oxidizing agent. Potassium permanganate is one of the principal chemicals used in the film and television industries to age props and set dressings.  In histology, it is used to bleach melanin which obscures tissue detail.

Keep practicing — related questions