Exam II Microbiology: Chapter 9 Flashcards
removing or killing all microbes from an object or solution
sterilization
removing or killing most microbes from an object or solution. Usually designed to kill vegetative microbes but not endospores or more resistant microbes
disinfection
(also called Sanitization) – reducing the number of microbes to a safe public health level
Decontamination
disinfection of the skin and mucous membranes
Antisepsis
removal of microbes by scrubbing. Usually this term refers to the removal of microbes from skin or mucous membranes.
Degerming
Name the four methods of microbial control used outside of the body
Disinfection
Antisepsis
Decontamination
Sterilization
a chemical agent that destroys bacteria except for those at the endospore stage
Also fungicide, virucide, germicide or microbicide are chemicals
Bactericide
processes
Sterilization and disinfection
the growth of microorganisms in the blood and other tissues
Sepsis
Any practice that prevents the entry of infectious agents into sterile tissues and thus prevents infection
Asepsis
practiced in healthcare
Aseptic technique
targets pathogens
Medical asepsis
targets all microbes
Surgical asepsis
chemical agents used to treat nonliving (inanimate) things
Disinfectants
chemical agents applied directly to living tissues
Antiseptics
affect the microbe’s environment
Physical Agents of Control
physically remove the microbe from its environment
Mechanical Removal Methods
chemically affect the structure and/or function of the microbe
Chemical Agents of Control
The goal of any __________ process is the destruction of bacterial endospores
sterilization
“to stand still”
Stasis and static
chemical agents that prevent the growth of bacteria on tissues or on objects in the environment
Bacteristatic
chemicals that inhibit fungal growth
Fungistatic
Antiseptics and drugs often have ____________ effects because microbicidal compounds can be toxic to human cells
microbistatic
means to kill
-cidal