Final answer:
Sterilizing materials with ethylene oxide in a chemiclave takes several hours, involving exposure to gaseous ethylene oxide, which alters vital biomolecules in microorganisms and leads to their death.
Step-by-step explanation:
When sterilizing materials with ethylene oxide in a chemiclave, the process requires about b) Hours. This sterilization method involves gaseous ethylene oxide, which has the chemical structure H₂C-CH₂. These reactions modify intracellular proteins, DNA, and other vital biomolecules, resulting in the death of microorganisms. Ethylene oxide sterilization is critical for materials that are sensitive to moisture or high temperatures, commonly used for surgical instruments in hospitals.
During the ethylene oxide sterilization process, the materials to be sterilized are exposed to ethylene oxide gas under a specific temperature, humidity, and pressure for a period typically ranging from several hours. This exposure time is crucial for ensuring that the gas penetrates through the materials and effectively sterilizes them.