Final answer:
The correct answer to the question is B. autoclave, a device that uses moist heat under high pressure to effectively sterilize items by killing microbes, including tough endospores. The correct answer is option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Autoclaves in Microbial Sterilization
An autoclave is a critical device used in microbiology to achieve sterilization by applying moist-heat under significant pressure to kill microbes, including bacteria, viruses, and particularly resilient forms like endospores. Charles Chamberland designed the modern autoclave, which operates by increasing pressure inside the chamber so that steam can reach temperatures above the boiling point of water, typically 121 °C or 132 °C.
Two main types of autoclaves are used for this process: gravity displacement and prevacuum autoclaves, where gravity displacement introduces steam from the top or sides allowing air to escape, while prevacuum autoclaves eliminate air completely using a vacuum before steaming, allowing better penetration of steam.
The correct option for a high-pressure device in which steam is superheated under pressure to kill microbes in about 15 minutes is B. autoclave. This tool is essential in healthcare and laboratory settings for sterilizing equipment and other items that must be devoid of all microbial life.