Hydrogen peroxide

Definition

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a chemical compound often used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. It is also a byproduct of certain metabolic pathways in microorganisms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hydrogen peroxide can be broken down by the enzyme catalase, which many aerobic and facultative anaerobic organisms produce.
2. It acts as an oxidizing agent that disrupts microbial cell walls, leading to cell death.
3. In microbiology labs, hydrogen peroxide is commonly used to test for the presence of catalase in bacteria.
4. Its effectiveness as a disinfectant makes it useful in controlling microbial growth on surfaces and medical equipment.
5. Anaerobic bacteria are generally more susceptible to hydrogen peroxide because they lack sufficient catalase or other protective enzymes.

Review Questions

• What role does the enzyme catalase play in the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide?
• Why is hydrogen peroxide effective in controlling microbial growth?
• How do anaerobic bacteria respond to exposure to hydrogen peroxide compared to aerobic bacteria?

Related terms

Catalase:

An enzyme produced by many microorganisms that degrades hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

Oxidizing Agent: A substance that can accept electrons and thereby oxidize another substance.

Antiseptic:

A chemical agent used on living tissues to inhibit or kill microorganisms.