Question:
Spores of bacteria are destroyed by which of the following agents?
Spores of bacteria are destroyed by which of the following agents?
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Think of which listed agent is truly sporicidal, not just a vegetative-cell killer.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
- Alcohol
- Lysol
- Halogen
- Ionizing radiation
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Bacterial spores are the most resistant form of microbial life. Agents that kill vegetative bacteria often fail against spores, so a true sporicidal agent is required.
Step 2: Among the options, halogens (chlorine and iodine compounds) have a definite sporicidal action. Chlorine releases hypochlorous acid and iodine acts as a strong oxidiser, both of which damage the spore coat and core, making halogen the correct answer.
Step 3: The distractors are not reliably sporicidal. Alcohol (ethyl or isopropyl) is a good vegetative bactericide but has no action on spores. Lysol (a phenolic) kills vegetative cells but is not sporicidal. Ionizing radiation is sterilising in industrial doses, but in the context of routine chemical disinfectants offered here, halogen is the intended sporicidal agent.
Step 2: Among the options, halogens (chlorine and iodine compounds) have a definite sporicidal action. Chlorine releases hypochlorous acid and iodine acts as a strong oxidiser, both of which damage the spore coat and core, making halogen the correct answer.
Step 3: The distractors are not reliably sporicidal. Alcohol (ethyl or isopropyl) is a good vegetative bactericide but has no action on spores. Lysol (a phenolic) kills vegetative cells but is not sporicidal. Ionizing radiation is sterilising in industrial doses, but in the context of routine chemical disinfectants offered here, halogen is the intended sporicidal agent.
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