Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which of the following processes is used to kill microorganisms?

1. Disinfection

2. Sanitization

3. Sterilization

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

The correct answer encompasses all the listed processes—disinfection, sanitization, and sterilization—because each serves to reduce or eliminate microorganisms, but they do so at different levels. Disinfection is a process that significantly reduces the number of pathogenic organisms on inanimate surfaces but does not necessarily kill all microorganisms, particularly resistant spores. Thus, while it is effective for many applications, it may not achieve complete eradication. Sanitization is aimed at reducing microbial populations to levels considered safe, often applied in contexts like food service and health care. Like disinfection, it does not guarantee the complete destruction of all microorganisms but is essential for maintaining hygiene standards. Sterilization, on the other hand, is the most comprehensive method as it aims to completely eliminate all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. This process is critical in scenarios where absolute sterility is required, such as in surgical instruments or laboratory conditions. Therefore, the inclusion of all the processes in the answer reflects a comprehensive understanding of how different methods can be employed to manage and control microbial populations, making it a holistic answer to the question.