Question

Mercurochrome is a type of
A. Antiseptic
B. Disinfectant
C. Antibiotic
D. Antitoxin

Answer 1

The main or scientific name of Mercurochrome is Merbromin. It is a disodium salt compound that consists of an organomercuric component. There are most countries like Germany, Italy, Brazil, Switzerland, France, and the United States where it is no longer sold because of the mercury content which is present in it.

Complete answer:

Option A: Mercurochrome is used as an antiseptic and contains about 2% of aqueous merbromin solution. It shows various activities against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and also many more organisms. The antiseptic qualities of Mercurochrome were discovered by Dr. Hugh Young in 1919. He was a surgeon and urologist and did his discovery at Johns Hopkins University. It helps to treat small wounds, burns, and scratches.

Option B: The antimicrobial agents which are used to destroy microorganisms on the surface of non-living objects are called disinfectant. For example – chlorine bleach. Disinfectants used physical and chemical methods which can reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms on a surface. One of the common natural disinfectants is Alcohol and sanitize most of the surfaces very perfectly.

Option C: The medicines that help to treat infection by killing bacteria are called antibiotics. They are not at all used to treat viral infections. Some of the mild health problems can be treated by antibiotics like acne. Penicillin was the first antibiotic discovered and is a naturally occurring antibiotic drug.

Option D: The antibody that has the ability to neutralize a specific toxin is called an antitoxin. It is produced by some animals, plants, and bacteria.

Hence, the correct answer is option (A).

Note: Antiseptics are the ones that help to treat small injuries but not able to treat large or big diseases or disorders. Mercurochrome is one of the antiseptics which is basically not available in most of the countries today. The reason is mercury content which is present in the antiseptics. On the other hand, disinfectants are for clearing non-living surfaces, antibiotics kill bacteria, and antitoxin neutralizes the antibody reaction.