Why is Alcohol a Good Antiseptic?
Ethyl alcohol, more frequently known as grain alcohol, works as an antiseptic by coagulating protein, the primary material that makes up cells. Although alcohol cannot coagulate every single cell, it functions well to inhibit the growth and reproduction of many microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses. Intriguingly, 70% alcohol is a more effective antiseptic than 100% alcohol. Because alcohol causes protein to coagulate on contact, a 100% solution coming into contact with a microorganism creates a hardened protein wall around the outside of the organism, rather than permeating into its interior. Because microorganisms can be very resilient, this protein shell only causes dormancy rather than death. This can lead to revival and a continuation the cycle of reproduction under the right circumstances. At a purity of 70%, however, the alcohol causes coagulation to occur more gradually, slowing down the microorganism from the inside out. Human skin cells are more resi
