Not all chemical disinfectants are bactericidal. Depending on the different mechanisms disinfectants use, they can be categorized mainly as bactericidal or bacteriostatic. This solution discusses briefly the mechanisms, similarities and differences between bactericidal and bacteriostatic disinfectants.

This response also discusses the mechanisms behind the "zone of inhibition" using the Kirby-Bauer method and what factors influence this phenomenon.

Lastly, why antibacterials are not used to destroy viruses is examined, and by extension, the differences between bacteria and viruses leading to this fact are examined.