Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, isvery

Chapter 19, Problem 28

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Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, isvery toxic if ingested. This is because it acts to destroy thedigestive proteins and other important biomolecules in yourstomach. Do this activity to see firsthand the destructiveaction of isopropyl alcohol on proteins. Crack open an eggand place the egg white and the yolk into two separate bowls.Pour a capful of isopropyl alcohol into the egg white andobserve what happens. In the second bowl, stir the yolk witha fork. Add another capful of isopropyl alcohol to the stirredyolk and observe what happens. The same sort of destructionwould occur to your own stomach proteins, as well as varioustissues, upon ingesting the isopropyl alcohol. Not good! Ourskin, however, is more impervious to the destructive powersof isopropyl alcohol, which therefore serves as a good topicalantiseptic.