Question

A classmate is trying to determine how a disinfectant might kill cells. You observed that when he spilled the disinfectant in your reduced litmus milk, the litmus turned blue again.You suggest to your classmate that

A) the disinfectant might inhibit cell wall synthesis
B) the disinfectant might oxidize molecules
C) the disinfectant might inhibit protein synthesis
D) the disinfectant might denature proteins
E) he not drink the milk

Answer 1

A disinfectant is likely to kill cells by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, similar to how alcohols function as disinfectants by coagulating proteins and preventing cell penetration in high concentrations.

D) the disinfectant might denature proteins

Step-by-step explanation:

When the disinfectant spilled into the reduced litmus milk and the litmus turned blue again, it may indicate that the disinfectant is altering the redox state of the milk, possibly through oxidation. However, considering what is known about alcohols, which are commonly used as disinfectants, the probable mechanism by which a disinfectant might kill cells is by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, leading to cell lysis. This is further supported by how alcohols, which work better in aqueous solutions at around 70% concentration, coagulate proteins, and in higher concentrations prevent effective penetration into cells due to rapid coagulation of surface proteins.