Biological termModerate0.5 marks
6(b)
Give appropriate biological / technical terms for the following:
The mild chemical substance which when applied on the body kills germs.
Topic: Antiseptic
Previous-year question practice database
Answer
Exam answer
ANTISEPTIC.
Explanation
The words MILD and ON THE BODY decide this, and they distinguish it from its partner term: ANTISEPTIC — MILD, applied to LIVING TISSUE (wounds, skin). Dettol, tincture of iodine, mercurochrome. DISINFECTANT — STRONG, used on NON-LIVING objects and surfaces. Cresol, phenol, formalin, bleaching powder.
A disinfectant would damage living tissue, which is why the two cannot be interchanged.
Ask of any such substance: could this safely be put on a cut? If yes it is an antiseptic.
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