Skin contact with an alkaline material is most likely to cause __________.

When alkaline materials come into contact with skin, they can cause a process known as saponification, where fatty tissues in the skin dissolve. This can lead to significant tissue damage and is particularly dangerous because the effects may not be immediately obvious, potentially leading to deep burns that are more severe than they initially appear.

The nature of alkaline substances, which includes materials like lye, means they have a high pH and can react with organic compounds in the skin, resulting in severe damage. This is why the correct answer highlights the destruction and dissolving of skin tissue as a primary concern when dealing with alkaline materials. While burns are also a valid concern, the specific mechanism of action for alkaline substances points more directly to tissue dissolution.