Which of the following is a desirable quality in a germicide?

• A. It should be highly toxic to humans.
• B. It should be effective against a broad range of microorganisms.
• C. It should only work at extremely high temperatures.
• D. It should lose its activity rapidly when exposed to air.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the purpose of a germicide: it is a chemical agent used to kill or inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms to prevent infection or contamination.
2. Evaluate the options based on the ideal characteristics of a germicide. It should be safe for humans, so being highly toxic to humans is undesirable.
3. Consider the effectiveness: a good germicide should work against a wide variety of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making broad-spectrum activity important.
4. Assess the conditions of use: requiring extremely high temperatures limits practical application, so this is not a desirable quality.
5. Stability is important: a germicide should maintain its activity during storage and use, so losing activity rapidly when exposed to air is undesirable.