What is sterilization?

Sterilization is defined as a process that completely destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. This is achieved through various methods such as autoclaving, dry heat, chemical sterilants, or irradiation. The goal of sterilization is to eliminate all potential pathogens and microorganisms to ensure that an area, object, or medical instrument is safe for use, particularly in medical and laboratory settings.

The other choices describe different levels of microbial control. Reducing microbial numbers refers to sanitization or disinfection, which lower the count of microbes but do not necessarily eliminate them completely. Inhibiting microbial growth pertains to methods that allow for a reduction in growth but may not kill the organisms present. Cleaning surfaces focuses on the removal of dirt and debris without necessarily ensuring that all microbes are destroyed or inhibited. Thus, choice C accurately encapsulates the comprehensive nature of sterilization as it aims to achieve complete microbial destruction.