Disinfectants That Damage Membranes Include

Question

Disinfectants that damage membranes include
A) alcohol.
B) phenolics.
C) iodine.
D) hydrogen peroxide.
E) both alcohol and phenolics.

Accepted Answer

Both alcohol and phenolics damage membranes. Alcohol denatures proteins and dissolves lipids, disrupting the membrane's structure. Phenolics also damage membranes by disrupting membrane proteins and lipids. Iodine and hydrogen peroxide work by other mechanisms and do not directly damage the membrane.