Question

Identify the correct definition of an antiseptic.
A. Chemicals that kill or prevent infection and damage living tissues.
B. Chemicals that kill or prevent infection without damaging living tissues.
C. Chemicals that can kill or prevent infection and damage living tissues.
D. Chemicals that can only kill or prevent infection in animal housing.

Answer 1

Hint: Antiseptics are considered as the chemicals or antimicrobial agents applied to living tissues to prevent infection without damaging living tissues. They can either completely destroy microbes or only prevent the growth of microbes altogether.

Complete answer:
Antiseptics can be defined as antimicrobial substances that can be applied on the body of living organisms to inhibit the action of microbes and thus reduce the possibility of infection. Like antibiotics, they are not injected into the body of living organisms, rather they are applied on the surface of the skin to heal the living tissues in case of wounds and cuts. and Antiseptics are also distinguished from disinfectants, which destroy microorganisms found on inanimate (non-living) objects. However, antiseptics are commonly referred to as skin disinfectants.
Most chemical agents can be used both as a disinfectant and an antiseptic. The difference is determined only by the concentration which is used. For example, 6% hydrogen peroxide solution is used for cleansing wounds, while 30 % hydrogen peroxide (stronger solutions) are used in industry as bleach and oxidising agent.
Antibiotics are frequently used in hospitals and other medical settings to reduce the risk of infection during surgery and other procedures
Antiseptics are of two types:
Some antiseptics are true germicidal in nature, implying that they have the ability to completely destroy microbes. These are known as bactericidal antiseptics.
Some other antiseptics only inhibit the growth of microbes or prevent the growth of microbes altogether. Such antiseptics are commonly referred to as bacteriostatic antiseptics.

Note:
Antiseptics are chemical agents that commonly stop or slow the growth of microorganisms on external surfaces of the living tissues and help to prevent microbial infections. Antiseptics should be distinguished from antibiotics that destroy microorganisms inside the body of organisms.