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"How does alcohol exert antimicrobial effect?"

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Final answer:

Alcohols exert an antimicrobial effect by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes. They work by inhibiting cell metabolism and causing cell lysis, which leads to the death of microorganisms.

Step-by-step explanation:

Alcohols exert an antimicrobial effect by denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes. They work by inhibiting cell metabolism and causing cell lysis, which leads to the death of microorganisms. One important factor in the effectiveness of alcohols is the concentration. Alcohols typically work best at a concentration of about 70% aqueous solution, as higher concentrations may coagulate surface proteins and prevent effective penetration of cells.

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