A disinfectant that kills bacteria is described as

A disinfectant that kills bacteria is described as

• A. Bactericial
• B. Pesticidal
• C. Sterilizer
• D. Sanitizer

Answer: (A)

Understanding what bactericidal means helps here. A disinfectant described as bactericidal actively destroys bacterial cells, so it kills bacteria rather than merely stopping their growth or merely reducing their numbers. This distinguishes it from sanitizers, which lower microbial load to safe levels but may not kill all bacteria; and from sterilizers, which aim to eliminate all microorganisms (including spores), a higher standard than typical disinfection. Pesticidal refers to pests, not microorganisms. So the term that best fits a disinfectant that kills bacteria is bactericidal.

Understanding what bactericidal means helps here. A disinfectant described as bactericidal actively destroys bacterial cells, so it kills bacteria rather than merely stopping their growth or merely reducing their numbers. This distinguishes it from sanitizers, which lower microbial load to safe levels but may not kill all bacteria; and from sterilizers, which aim to eliminate all microorganisms (including spores), a higher standard than typical disinfection. Pesticidal refers to pests, not microorganisms. So the term that best fits a disinfectant that kills bacteria is bactericidal.