Question

Write a short note on Antiseptics and Disinfectants.

Answer 1

As the name suggests, ‘Antiseptics’ are the chemicals that act to prevent sepsis. ‘Disinfectants’ are the chemicals which act to prevent infectious agents from infecting the surrounding.

Complete step by step answer:
-Antiseptics
Compounds or solutions which can be applied on skin surfaces of living organisms and have antimicrobial properties are called as antiseptics.When we have an injury on the external body part or skin surface, we apply these antiseptics. Dettol which is a very commonly used antiseptic is a mixture of two chemicals i.e. chloroxylenol and terpineol. These liquids generally target cell walls of bacteria by disabling the cross linking of their membrane proteins. Iodoform is also an example of antiseptic we use in our day to day lives. Certain types of antiseptics have the capability to only arrest the growth of pathogens but not completely kill them. Such antiseptics are called bacterio-statics. On the other hand, some have the ability to completely kill the microbes present. Such antiseptics are called bactericidal.
-Disinfectants
Substances which have the ability to inhibit the growth of or kill pathogens and are specifically applied on non-living surfaces are called disinfectants.Air disinfectants and alcohols are the two types of commonly available disinfectants. Alcohols enter the cells of pathogenic cells and lead to dehydration of their essential proteins and ultimately result in death of the pathogen. Ethanol and 70% isopropanol are most widely used alcohol-based disinfectants. Air disinfectants are used to reduce the microbial load of the surrounding air.

Note: The major point of difference between antiseptics and disinfectants is that, former can be easily applied on skin and on living things whereas the latter can only be used on non-living objects.