Which two alcohols are most commonly used and effective in chemical control of microbial growth?

• A. Ethanol and isopropanol
• B. Butanol and methanol
• C. Methanol and propanol
• D. Ethanol and methanol

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the question is asking about the two alcohols most commonly used and effective in chemical control of microbial growth, which refers to their use as disinfectants or antiseptics.
2. Recall that alcohols used in microbiology for disinfection typically work by denaturing proteins and dissolving lipids, which disrupts microbial cell membranes and leads to cell death.
3. Identify the alcohols commonly used in clinical and laboratory settings: ethanol and isopropanol are widely recognized for their antimicrobial properties and are frequently used in hand sanitizers and surface disinfectants.
4. Note that methanol and butanol are less commonly used due to toxicity or lower antimicrobial effectiveness, and propanol is less common compared to isopropanol.
5. Conclude that the two alcohols most effective and commonly used for chemical control of microbial growth are ethanol and isopropanol.