Final answer:
Iodine, chlorine, and quaternary ammonium are all examples of disinfectants, which are used to destroy or inactivate various infectious organisms across different settings.
Step-by-step explanation:
Iodine, chlorine, and quaternary ammonium compounds are all common examples of disinfectants. These substances are widely used to control, deactivate, or kill infectious organisms. Iodine can be used as a tincture or an iodophor like povidone-iodine in medical settings for skin antisepsis. Chlorine, in various forms like sodium hypochlorite and chloramines, is commonly used for water disinfection. Quaternary ammonium compounds, commonly referred to as quats, such as benzalkonium chloride, are powerful surface-active agents capable of disrupting cell membranes and are found in many household cleaners, skin disinfectants, and oral rinses. Unlike soaps that simply remove microbes mechanically, these disinfectants act at a chemical level to destroy or inactivate bacteria, fungi, protozoans, and some viruses, making them far more effective for sterilization purposes.