Why does UV light kill germs?

Answers.com > Wiki Answers > Categories > Health > Medical Technologies > Why does UV light kill germs?
Answer:

Germicidal ultraviolet (UVC) light kills cells by damaging their DNA. The light initiates a reaction between two molecules of thymine, one of the bases that make up DNA. UV light at this wavelength (shortwave UV or UVC) causes adjacent thymine molecules on DNA to dimerize. The resulting thymine dimer is very stable. If enough of these defects accumulate on a microorganism's DNA its replication is inhibited, thereby rendering it harmless.

The longer the exposure to UVC light, the more thymine dimers are formed in the DNA. If cellular processes are disrupted because of DNA damage, the cell cannot carry out its normal functions. If the damage is extensive and widespread, the cell will die.

First answer by ID3283996163. Last edit by ID3283996163. Question popularity: 3 [recommend question].

Can you answer these Medical Technologies questions?

Relevant answers:

Related Ads:

Related ads:

Sign in using:

Answers.com members:




Create account
Join using:

Join Answers.com:





Already a member?
Sign in
Why join?
Joining is free and easy. You can still be anonymous; just choose any username and password.

  • Get notified about updated answers
  • Follow your favorite categories
  • Get credit for your contributions
  • Customize your profile
  • Answer questions more easily
Not convinced? Read more.
Lost your password?

You may already have an Answers.com account.
Click here to connect your accounts.  
If you don't want to connect accounts, you can start a new one from scratch.
Minor details...


  

Connect your accounts...




Lost password?
Why do we need your email address?
We will use your email address to send you updates (if you request them) about questions you ask, answer or track, and to help you retrieve your password if you forget it.

Your email address will not be used for any other purpose without your permission.
Already have an Answers.com account? Connect your accounts!
By doing so, you include all of your history (contributions, messages, profile) from your Answers.com account in your Facebook account.

If you don't connect accounts, your new account will be starting from scratch.

Home

Welcome
Help center
Browse categories
Random question
Community forum