New Jersey State Board Esthetics Practice Exam

Disinfectants are generally more effective on which type of bacteria?

1. Inactive bacteria

2. Active bacteria

3. Non-pathogenic bacteria

4. All types of bacteria

The correct answer is: Active bacteria

Disinfectants are specifically formulated to target and eliminate actively growing bacteria, also known as vegetative bacteria. These bacteria are metabolically active and are more susceptible to the effects of disinfectants, which disrupt key cellular processes and lead to their death or inactivation. When disinfectants encounter active bacteria, they can penetrate the cell walls more effectively and interfere with processes such as cellular respiration, protein synthesis, or DNA replication. This makes active bacteria significantly more vulnerable than inactive or dormant forms, where the cells may have protective layers or reduced metabolic functions that help them withstand disinfectants. Inactive bacteria, for example, are in a dormant stage and generally have reduced susceptibility since they are not actively engaging in metabolic processes. Non-pathogenic bacteria, while they might fall under the category of active or inactive, do not represent the greater threat to sanitation that actively growing pathogenic bacteria do. Disinfectants aim to eliminate those that can cause illness, thus highlighting the importance of targeting active bacteria. The concept of disinfectant efficacy relates to understanding the life cycle of bacteria and how different states of these organisms interact with chemical agents, which is crucial knowledge for anyone in the field of esthetics and sanitation practices.