10 Questions
What is the process of killing all microorganisms in or on an object?
Sterilization
What term refers to the mechanical removal of microbes from a surface?
Degerming
What is the term for applying chemical agents to living tissue to kill or inhibit microorganisms?
Antisepsis
What is the term for mild heating to kill particular spoilage organisms or pathogens?
Pasteurization
What is the term for reducing the number of microorganisms to safe levels?
Sanitization
Which process aims to eliminate only particular spoilage organisms or pathogens, but not all microorganisms?
Pasteurization
What is the primary goal of sanitization in terms of microorganism reduction?
Reducing microorganisms to safe levels
Which process is most similar to sanitization in terms of its goal?
Disinfection
What is the key difference between antisepsis and disinfection?
The surface being treated
Which process is the most extreme in terms of microorganism elimination?
Sterilization
Study Notes
Microbiology Terms
- Sanitization: Reducing the number of microorganisms to safe levels to prevent the spread of infection.
- Degerming: Mechanical removal of microbes from a surface, commonly used for skin preparation or medical equipment.
- Disinfection: Using physical or chemical means to kill or inhibit microorganisms on inanimate objects, such as surfaces, equipment, or instruments.
- Antisepsis: Applying chemical agents to living tissue to kill or inhibit microorganisms, commonly used for wound care or skin preparation.
- Pasteurization: Mild heating to kill particular spoilage organisms or pathogens, commonly used in food processing to extend shelf life and prevent foodborne illness.
- Sterilization: The process of killing all microorganisms in or on an object, used to ensure a completely sterile environment, often in medical or laboratory settings.
Test your knowledge of microbiology terms related to reducing microorganisms, disinfection, and sterilization. Review sanitation, disinfection, antisepsis, pasteurization, and sterilization concepts.
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