The effects of several short chain alcohols on protein synthesis by intact Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. ellipsoideus cells were studied. The results show that the relative inhibitory potencies correlate well with the size of the carbon backbone, thus suggesting that a hydrophobicity-related effect is involved in the inhibitory action of these alcohols. Additionally, the branching nature of the carbon backbone contributes to determining the action of the alcohol, as proved by the relative potencies of the four-carbon alcohol series.