This, the polarity of the cell which permits selective permeability & a hydrophilic environment means alcohol’s will be functional as antiseptics due to the hydroxyl group. However, alcohol needs to be approximately 70% for max efficiency as H2O facilities it’s ability to denature a cell.
It is worth noting that 0.01% of bacteria do not survive because the alcohol is ineffective; but because they were fortunate enough to avoid contact. Under nails, between folds in skin, under microscopic imperfections within the creases and scars on your hands, etc. Full coverage to the human eye does not equate to absolute coverage on a microscopic level.
Imagine you want to disable a car. You could open the hood and unplug the battery. Or you could fire a missile at it.
Antibiotics are like unplugging the battery. It only works if you can get under the hood and it wouldn’t work at all on electric cars. It’s selective.
Alcohol is like a missile. It destroys everything. You can’t evolve resistance to missiles. You just have to hope you don’t get hit.
This, the polarity of the cell which permits selective permeability & a hydrophilic environment means alcohol’s will be functional as antiseptics due to the hydroxyl group. However, alcohol needs to be approximately 70% for max efficiency as H2O facilities it’s ability to denature a cell.
But the hand sanitizers that don’t destroy everything are alcohol.
It is worth noting that 0.01% of bacteria do not survive because the alcohol is ineffective; but because they were fortunate enough to avoid contact. Under nails, between folds in skin, under microscopic imperfections within the creases and scars on your hands, etc. Full coverage to the human eye does not equate to absolute coverage on a microscopic level.