Question

Formalin (a solution of formaldehyde in water) is used for preserving biological specimens. Identify the incorrect statement:

• A. Formaldehyde should be soluble in water.
• B. Formaldehyde is expected to be a strong oxidizing agent.
• C. Formaldehyde acts as an antioxidant.
• D. Formalin preserves dead specimens from decay.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Formaldehyde is expected to be a strong oxidizing agent.

1. Among the given statements, all the options are correct except option (b) i.e., Formaldehyde is expected to be a strong oxidizing agent because Formalin (a solution of formaldehyde in water) is used for preserving biological specimens because Formaldehyde should be soluble in water, Formaldehyde acts as an antioxidant and Formalin preserves dead specimens from decay and prevents the specimens from being getting oxidized.
2. Therefore, the option (B) is incorrect statement.

Hence, the correct option is (B).i.e., Formaldehyde is expected to be a strong oxidizing agent is an incorrect statement.