What kind of solution is applied to living tissue to prevent infection?

The correct answer is antiseptic, which refers to a substance that inhibits the growth and development of microorganisms on living tissues, thus preventing infection. Antiseptics are commonly used in medical settings for cleaning wounds, surgical areas, and preparing skin before procedures. They help reduce the risk of infections by targeting bacteria and other pathogens at the site of application.

In contrast, antibiotics are used to treat existing bacterial infections in the body, rather than preventing them on the surface of living tissue. Antimicrobics, while similar, generally apply to a broader range of substances that can target various types of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi; however, they do not necessarily specify their use on living tissues for infection prevention. Analgesics are medications designed to relieve pain without addressing infection, which makes them irrelevant in the context of preventing infection on living tissues.