Why is ethanol, which is deadly to bacterial cells, safe to use on our hands?
A) Our skin cells have a different kind of cell wall from that of a bacterial cell.
B) The outer layer of our skin is composed of dead cells and serves as a protective barrier.
C) Ethanol does damage our skin but in such small amounts that we don't feel it.
D) The temperature outside our bodies is not the correct temperature for ethanol to work.
E) Ethanol only reacts with the type of protein found inside a bacterial cell.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The outer layer of our skin is composed of dead cells, which provides a protective barrier, preventing ethanol from penetrating and harming living cells beneath.

Why Is Ethanol, Which Is Deadly to Bacterial Cells, Safe