Q:
What is the difference between microbicidal and microbiostatic?
A:
Quick Answer
A microbicidal agent kills microorganisms such as bacteria, while a microbiostatic agent only prohibits the growth of such microorganisms. In the presence of microbiostatics, the microorganisms eventually die due to lack of reproduction. Microbicidals are irreversible and lethal, while microbiostatics are reversible.
Continue Reading
Credit:
Rafe Swan
Cultura
Getty Images
Full Answer
Both microbicidals and microbiostatics come under the category of antimicrobials. Some chemical microbicidal agents are the poisonous gas ethylene oxide, chlorine, alcohols and formaldehyde. Microbiostatic agents include food additives that are used for food preservation. Heat is often used as a microbicidal agent, while cold is sometimes a microbicidal agent but is commonly more of a microbiostatic agent.
Learn more about BiologyRelated Questions
-
Q:
What are thermophilic bacteria?
A: Thermophilic bacteria are microorganisms found in areas that have temperatures too high for other types of bacteria. These bacteria live, reproduce and thr... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are ancient bacteria?
A: Ancient bacteria are single-celled microorganisms that are able to live in extreme environments and have significant biological differences from regular ba... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What is the purpose of subculturing?
A: Subculturing keeps cells and microorganisms alive by transferring them from a previous growth culture to a fresh growth medium. It also helps the cells to ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Why does milk mold the fastest?
A: Milk provides an environment that is particularly favorable for the growth of microorganisms, resulting in the rapid growth of mold, yeast and bacteria. Mi... Full Answer >Filed Under:
