Chemical Control of Microorganisms

These flashcards cover key terms related to the chemical control of microorganisms, including descriptions of how various substances exert their antimicrobial effects.

Phenol

The most basic member of a class of compounds that is highly toxic and used as a disinfectant.

Alcohols

Compounds that can dissolve membrane lipids and disrupt cell surface tension while exhibiting antimicrobial properties.

Oxidizing Agents

Substances that can oxidize other materials while being reduced themselves, often containing free oxygen.

Heavy Metals

Elements like mercury, silver, and copper that bind to functional groups in enzymes, inhibiting their activity.

Aldehydes

Organic compounds characterized by a carbonyl group with strong antimicrobial properties, the simplest being formaldehyde.

Oligodynamic Effect

A property of heavy metals that allows them to exert antimicrobial activity at very low concentrations.

Critical Items

Medical instruments that require high-level disinfection or sterilization because they come into contact with sterile tissues.

Semi-Critical Items

Instruments that come into contact with mucous membranes and require intermediate-level disinfection.

Non-Critical Items

Instruments that only touch intact skin and can be cleaned with low-level disinfection.

Germicidal

Substances that are lethal to microorganisms, as opposed to merely sanitizing them.

Soaps and Detergents

Surfactants that solubilize lipids found in cell membranes, aiding in the cleaning and disinfecting process.