Autoclave

Internet, research about autoclave.

Based on your research, respond to the following:

• Provide an explanation of how the pressure in an autoclave can influence the temperature and therefore the timing of the sterilization process.
• Compare and contrast the microbial destruction ability of moist versus dry heat.

 Week 5 – Review Sheet 

Exercise 1: Moist and dry heat 

1. How are microorganisms destroyed by moist heat? By dry heat?

 2. Are some microorganisms more resistant to heat than others? Why? 3. Is moist heat more effective than dry heat? Why? 4. Why does dry heat require higher temperatures for longer time periods to sterilize than does moist heat? 5. What is the relationship of time to temperature in heat sterilization? Explain. 

Exercise 2: The autoclave 1. Define the principles of sterilization with an autoclave and with a dry heat oven. 2. What pressure, temperature, and time are used in routine autoclaving? 3. What factors determine the time period necessary for steam-pressure sterilization? Dry heat oven sterilization? 4. Why is it necessary to use bacteriologic controls to monitor heat- sterilization techniques? 5. When running an endospore control of the autoclaving technique, why is one endospore preparation incubated without heating?