Final answer:
Hydrogen peroxide is effective as a sterilant because it produces free radicals that damage cellular macromolecules and has broad-spectrum activity against microorganisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hydrogen peroxide is effective as a sterilant because it produces free radicals that damage cellular macromolecules.
It has broad-spectrum activity against various microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and bacterial spores.
However, the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide can be affected by the presence of catalase or peroxidases in organisms, which can increase their tolerance to lower concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.