Disinfectants usually denature or degrade proteins and other complex biologic molecules in a non-specific manner (denaturing a protein is altering its shape to destroy its functionality.) For example, alcohol will break down (or hydrolyze) proteins it comes into contact with.
Antibiotics (penicillins and cephalosporins) work by specifically attacking the cell wall.
How do disinfectants kill disease causing bacteria?
There are many modes of action, but usually they dmage the cell membrane or cell wall. See the reference below.
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