Define 'antiseptic' and give an example.

An antiseptic is defined as a substance that inhibits microorganism growth on living tissues, such as skin or mucous membranes. This is particularly important in medical settings where it is crucial to prevent infection during surgical procedures or when treating wounds. Antiseptics work by destroying or inactivating bacteria, viruses, and fungi without causing harm to the host tissue.

An example of an antiseptic is alcohol, which is commonly used for skin disinfection before injections or surgical procedures. It effectively reduces the risk of infection by killing a broad spectrum of microorganisms present on the skin.

In contrast, substances that promote bacterial growth would not be considered antiseptics, as their purpose is to encourage rather than inhibit microbial activity. Similarly, substances that destroy bacteria on non-living tissues would fall under the category of disinfectants, not antiseptics, as they are not used on living tissues. Lastly, substances used for fermentation purposes are typically related to the production of alcohol or other metabolites, and do not serve the function of inhibiting microbes on living tissues.