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Other Types of Liquid Chemicals quiz

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  • Which heavy metals are commonly used as disinfectants in low concentrations?
    Silver, arsenic, zinc, and copper are commonly used as disinfectants in low concentrations.
  • Why must heavy metals be used at low concentrations for microbial control?
    Heavy metals are toxic to humans and can pollute natural waters at high concentrations, so they are used at low concentrations.
  • How do heavy metals denature proteins?
    Heavy metals denature proteins by interacting with sulfhydryl (–SH) groups on proteins, causing them to lose their shape and function.
  • What is a common use for silver-containing antiseptics?
    Silver-containing antiseptics are used to prevent infections on human skin, especially for treating wounds.
  • What is the basic structure of phenol?
    Phenol consists of a benzene ring bound to a hydroxyl group (–OH).
  • Who was the first scientist to use phenol as an antiseptic?
    Joseph Lister was the first to employ phenol as an antiseptic or disinfectant.
  • Which household products commonly contain phenolic compounds?
    Listerine and Lysol are common household products that contain phenolic compounds.
  • How do phenolic compounds control microbial growth?
    Phenolic compounds disrupt cytoplasmic membranes and denature proteins, killing microbes.
  • What are peroxygens and how do they function?
    Peroxygens are strong oxidizing agents that disrupt cytoplasmic membranes and denature proteins to control microbial growth.
  • Name two common peroxygens used as sterilants.
    Paracetic acid (C2H4O3) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are two common peroxygens used as sterilants.
  • Why must peroxygens be used at low concentrations?
    Peroxygens are toxic to humans at high concentrations, so they must be diluted for safe use.
  • Which peroxygen is more potent as a sterilant, paracetic acid or hydrogen peroxide?
    Paracetic acid is more potent as a chemical disinfectant and sterilant than hydrogen peroxide.
  • What enzyme can reduce the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide as a disinfectant?
    Catalase is an enzyme that converts hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen, reducing its effectiveness.
  • Why is hydrogen peroxide less effective than paracetic acid for some microbes?
    Some microbes produce catalase, which breaks down hydrogen peroxide, allowing them to survive in its presence.
  • What is the chemical formula for paracetic acid?
    The chemical formula for paracetic acid is C2H4O3.