Final answer:
Disinfectants are chemicals used to destroy or inactivate most species of pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces. Examples include chlorine bleach and phenol, while heavy metals are also known for their antimicrobial properties. Disinfectants typically do not lead to sterilization as they may not destroy some resilient microorganisms like endospores.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chemicals that destroy or inactivate most species of pathogenic microorganisms on inanimate surfaces are called disinfectants. Disinfectants are crucial in microbial control and are different from antibiotics, which target microorganisms within the living body, and also from nutrients, which are compounds that organisms need to live and grow. Disinfectants work by causing damage to proteins, membranes, and other components of bacterial cells. Examples of disinfectants include chlorine bleach and products that contain chlorine, which are commonly used to clean surfaces in laboratories and clinical settings.
Phenol was one of the first chemical disinfectants used and endorsed by Joseph Lister for aseptic surgery, and its effectiveness serves as a benchmark against other disinfectants. Heavy metals also have been used as disinfectants, working by binding to proteins and inhibiting enzymatic activity. While disinfectants are effective in inactivating microbes, they generally do not achieve sterilization because some resilient microbes like endospores can survive the disinfection process.