Final answer:
Lab disinfectant is often used as a control when testing a new substance's ability to kill microorganisms in broth to ensure the testing system is working and to compare the effectiveness of the new substance.
Step-by-step explanation:
In testing a new substance's ability to kill microorganisms in broth, lab disinfectant is often used as a control. This is because of several reasons:
- It ensures that the testing system is working: Since we know that lab disinfectant will kill certain microorganisms, using it as a control allows us to verify that our testing system is functioning properly.
- Comparison to a known disinfectant: By comparing the effectiveness of the new substance to the lab disinfectant, we can determine if the new substance works better or worse.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.