Question

Among the following which disinfectant causes damage to nucleic acid? 1)Ethylene oxide
2) Formaldehyde 3) phenol.
Options
only 1
Only 3
1 and 2
1 and 3​

Answer 1

Question

Among the following which disinfectant causes damage to nucleic acid?

1)Ethylene oxide

2) Formaldehyde

3) phenol.

Answer

• 1 and 2

Answer 2

Correct answer is option (c) 1 and 2

As Ethylene oxide and Formaldehyde are the disinfectant that can cause damage to the nucleic acid.

Explanation:

This is because, Ethylene oxide can carry convert the pyrimidine bases from C to T or U and from U to C. As a result of which it modulates the DNA sequence and damages the nucleic acid sequence.

Formaldehyde causes single-strand breaks in DNA due to the xposure to the ionizing radiation.

Whereas the Phenol is not able to damage the nucleic acid sequence.