Study Notes on Microbial Physical Growth Control

Sepsis

a life-threatening condition caused by the body's response to an infection, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and potentially death.

Sterilization

the process of eliminating all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, to ensure that an object or environment is completely free from viable microorganisms.

Degerming

the process of mechanically removing or reducing dirt, debris, and microorganisms from a surface, typically using soap and water.

Bacteriostasis

the inhibition of bacterial growth without killing them, allowing for a temporary state of reduced bacterial activity.

Coagulation

the process by which particles clump together to form aggregates, often resulting in the removal of pathogens and impurities from liquids.

Decimal reduction time

the time required at a certain temperature to reduce the microbial population by 90%. It is a critical measure in sterilization processes.

Non-ionizing radiation 

is a type of radiation that does not carry enough energy to ionize atoms or molecules, effectively used to control microbial growth by damaging DNA.

Asepsis

the absence of bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms to prevent infection. It is crucial in surgical procedures and medical settings.

Disinfection

the process of destroying or reducing harmful microorganisms on inanimate objects and surfaces. Disinfection is essential for maintaining hygienic conditions in healthcare and food preparation environments.

Sanitization

the process of reducing the number of pathogens to acceptable public health standards, often involving cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

Pasteurization

a process of heating liquids, such as milk and juice, to a specific temperature for a set period to kill harmful microorganisms without affecting quality.

Thermal death point

The lowest temperature at which all microorganisms in a liquid culture are killed in 10 minutes. This measurement is crucial in evaluating the effectiveness of heat treatment methods.

Autoclave

A machine that uses high-pressure steam at temperatures above 100°C to sterilize equipment and media, effectively killing all microorganisms and spores.

Aseptic technique

A set of practices used to prevent contamination by pathogens during medical or laboratory procedures, ensuring a sterile environment.

Antisepsis

The process of reducing or eliminating pathogenic microorganisms from living tissue, often using antiseptic solutions to prevent infection.

Biocide/Germicide

A chemical agent that destroys harmful microorganisms or inhibits their growth, often used in various industries to disinfect surfaces and equipment.

Denaturation

The process by which proteins lose their native structure due to external stress or compounds, resulting in a loss of biological function. This can be caused by heat, acids, or other environmental factors.

Thermal death time

The shortest time required to kill all microorganisms in a liquid culture at a specified temperature.

Ionizing radiation 

is a type of radiation that carries enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, thereby creating ions. It is used for sterilization and disinfection by damaging the DNA of microorganisms.

Thymine dimer

A type of DNA damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) light, where two adjacent thymine bases bond together, disrupting DNA replication and transcription.