The most concentrated forms of ethanol and isopropyl alcohol are less bactericidal than the diluted forms of these alcohols.Why?
A) No free radicals are present in solution to kill the bacteria.
B) Only the dilutions can dissolve the lipopolysaccharide cell walls.
C) Proteins are not denatured readily in the absence of water.
D) Killing bacteria also requires the solution be heated, and it is difficult to heat concentrated alcohols because they are flammable.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Alcohols do not contain free radicals; their bacteriocidal action is based on denaturing proteins.Concentrated alcohols can dissolve the lipopolysaccharide cell wall,but killing the bacteria still relies on protein denaturation.These solutions do not have to be heated to exert their bactericidal effect.

The Most Concentrated Forms of Ethanol and Isopropyl Alcohol Are