Sterilizing is defined as which of the following?

• A. The partial destruction of disease-causing organisms.
• B. The complete destruction of all organisms, including spores.
• C. The removal of visible dirt.
• D. Inactivation of viruses only.

Answer: (B)

Sterilization is about eliminating all living microorganisms, including the most resistant forms called spores. The reasoning behind the correct choice is that true sterilization means nothing alive remains after the process, and spores are the toughest to kill. That’s why the definition emphasizes complete destruction of all organisms, including spores.

This distinguishes sterilization from disinfection, which reduces the number of pathogens but may not kill all organisms or spores, and from cleaning, which merely removes dirt. Inactivation of viruses alone does not capture the full scope of sterilization, since spores and other microbes would still be a concern.