Which antiseptic destroys microorganisms by desiccation of cell proteins?

Which antiseptic destroys microorganisms by desiccation of cell proteins?

• A. Hexachlorophene
• B. Iodophors
• C. Alcohol
• D. Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)

Answer: (C)

The mechanism being tested is how an antiseptic can kill microbes by removing water and denaturing proteins within the cell. Alcohol acts by rapidly dehydrating cells and denaturing their proteins, which also disrupts the cell membrane. This combination of protein coagulation and membrane damage stops essential enzymatic processes and structural integrity, leading to quick cell death. That desiccation effect is what makes alcohol effective against many vegetative bacteria and fungi. Other antiseptics kill microbes mainly through oxidation (iodophors), membrane disruption and protein precipitation (chlorhexidine), or membrane disruption with different mechanisms (hexachlorophene), rather than primarily drying out cell proteins. Therefore, the alcohol option is the one that destroys microorganisms by desiccation of cell proteins.

The mechanism being tested is how an antiseptic can kill microbes by removing water and denaturing proteins within the cell. Alcohol acts by rapidly dehydrating cells and denaturing their proteins, which also disrupts the cell membrane. This combination of protein coagulation and membrane damage stops essential enzymatic processes and structural integrity, leading to quick cell death. That desiccation effect is what makes alcohol effective against many vegetative bacteria and fungi. Other antiseptics kill microbes mainly through oxidation (iodophors), membrane disruption and protein precipitation (chlorhexidine), or membrane disruption with different mechanisms (hexachlorophene), rather than primarily drying out cell proteins. Therefore, the alcohol option is the one that destroys microorganisms by desiccation of cell proteins.