Sterilization

Definition

Sterilization is the process of eliminating all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. It is a critical procedure in various fields to ensure complete microbial control.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sterilization can be achieved through physical methods such as heat (autoclaving) and radiation (gamma rays).
2. Chemical agents like ethylene oxide and formaldehyde are also used for sterilization.
3. Autoclaving involves steam under pressure at 121°C for a specific period to ensure the destruction of all microorganisms.
4. Sterilization is different from disinfection; sterilization eliminates all microbes, while disinfection reduces them to safe levels.
5. Indicators such as biological indicators (spore tests) are used to verify the effectiveness of sterilization processes.

Review Questions

• What are two main methods used to achieve sterilization?
• How does autoclaving work to ensure complete microbial control?
• What is the difference between sterilization and disinfection?

Related terms

Disinfection:

A process that reduces the number of pathogenic microorganisms to a level that is not harmful.

Antisepsis:

The practice of using antiseptics to eliminate or reduce harmful microorganisms on living tissue.

Sanitization: The process of lowering microbial counts on objects and surfaces to meet public health standards.