Controlling Microbial Growth

Flashcards for reviewing terminology and methods of controlling microbial growth.

Decontamination

The removal of microbes from a surface.

Sterilization

The process of making something free from bacteria or other living microorganisms.

Disinfection

The process of cleaning something, especially with a chemical, in order to destroy bacteria.

Disinfectant

A chemical liquid that destroys bacteria.

Antiseptic

A substance that prevents infection in a wound by killing bacteria.

Bacteriostatic

Inhibiting the growth or multiplication of bacteria.

Bactericidal

Kills bacteria.

Autoclave

Equipment standard in microbiology labs and hospitals for sterilization.

Pasteurization

Food processing method to reduce microbial levels or sterilize beverages.

Dry heat

Sterilize equipment not exposed to moisture with ___.

Non-ionizing (UV) radiation

Type of radiation that kills bacteria by damaging DNA, used for surface sterilization.

Ionizing (gamma rays or X-rays) radiation

Radiation that penetrates solid objects to sterilize food and medical equipment.

Disinfectants

Chemicals used to reduce microbes on inanimate objects.

Antiseptics

Chemicals used to reduce microbes on skin or mucous membranes.

Medium-level germicides

Germicides that destroy vegetative bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

High-level germicides

Germicides that destroy all microbial life, including endospores.

Critical equipment

Contact with sterile body sites and/or vascular system - must be sterilized.

Semicritical equipment

Contact with mucous membranes or non-intact skin.

Noncritical equipment

Only contact intact skin.

Mycobacterium

Resist most disinfectants due to waxy walls.

Endospores

Require autoclave, high heat hydrogen peroxide, or sporicidal chemicals for destruction.

Protozoans

Filtration or boiling of untreated water

Protozoans

Filtration, ozone, CO2 treatments of municipal water are methods of controlling.

Viruses

More difficult to eliminate due to being dormant outside of host cells.

Naked viruses

More difficult to eliminate than enveloped viruses.

Prions

Resistant to standard autoclave procedures.