Why does putting honey on a cut kill the bacteria within it?

The water potential in bacterial cells is higher than that of the honey, meaning that water leaves the bacterial cells by osmosis. This loss of water denatures the bacterial cells as it stops metabolic reactions taking place.

AH
Answered by Ashleigh H. Biology tutor

3899 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

What's the difference between meiosis and mitosis?


Explain how the cardiac cycle pumps blood around the body


Explain the advantages of eukaryotic cells having mitochondria?


Why is the resting membrane potential of a neurone negative when there are positive ions inside the cell?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning