Which term refers to a substance that destroys or kills bacteria?

The correct answer, which refers to a substance that destroys or kills bacteria, is bacteriocidal. Bacteriocidal agents work by directly eliminating bacteria rather than merely inhibiting their growth. This characteristic makes them particularly effective in sterile environments and when a complete eradication of bacteria is necessary, such as during surgical procedures or in the use of certain antibiotics that are designed to kill bacterial pathogens.

In contrast, while bacteriostatic substances inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction, they do not kill the bacteria outright. Antiseptics are substances used to reduce or eliminate pathogens on living tissue but may not necessarily have a bacteriocidal effect. Disinfectants are primarily intended for use on inanimate objects to destroy bacteria and other pathogens but are not typically safe for use on human skin. Thus, the specificity of bacteriocidal agents in directly killing bacteria underscores their vital role in infection control and surgical settings.