Which term describes an agent that destroys pathogenic bacteria?

Which term describes an agent that destroys pathogenic bacteria?

• A. Bactericide
• B. Antibiotic
• C. Antiseptic
• D. Disinfectant

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is choosing a term that specifically means killing bacteria. The right word is bactericide. It comes from bacteri- meaning bacteria and -cide meaning to kill, so it literally denotes an agent that destroys bacteria, including pathogenic ones. This makes it the precise description for substances whose action is to eradicate bacteria. Antibiotic refers to a drug used to treat bacterial infections and can be either bactericidal or bacteriostatic depending on the agent, so it isn’t a universal label for destruction. Antiseptic describes agents used on living tissues to prevent infection and may be bactericidal or bacteriostatic, but the emphasis is on application to living tissue. Disinfectant is aimed at inanimate surfaces and also may be bactericidal or primarily reduce microbial load, but again its context differs from a general agent that destroys bacteria.

The main idea here is choosing a term that specifically means killing bacteria. The right word is bactericide. It comes from bacteri- meaning bacteria and -cide meaning to kill, so it literally denotes an agent that destroys bacteria, including pathogenic ones. This makes it the precise description for substances whose action is to eradicate bacteria.

Antibiotic refers to a drug used to treat bacterial infections and can be either bactericidal or bacteriostatic depending on the agent, so it isn’t a universal label for destruction. Antiseptic describes agents used on living tissues to prevent infection and may be bactericidal or bacteriostatic, but the emphasis is on application to living tissue. Disinfectant is aimed at inanimate surfaces and also may be bactericidal or primarily reduce microbial load, but again its context differs from a general agent that destroys bacteria.