Final answer:
Sonication and filtration are two methods commonly used to remove small organic particles and soil from hard-to-clean areas of instruments. Sonication utilizes sound waves to agitate liquids, while filtration involves passing the sample through a filter. Soap is also an effective cleaning agent that solubilizes particles and destroys microorganisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process you are referring to is sonication. Sonication is the use of sound waves to agitate a liquid, causing the formation and collapse of small bubbles. This agitation helps to remove small organic particles and soil from areas of instruments that are difficult to clean manually. Sonication is widely used in various fields, including outside the laboratory for cleaning surgical instruments, lenses, coins, tools, and musical instruments.
Another method that can be used to remove particles and microbes from samples is filtration. Filtration involves passing the sample through a filter, such as a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. HEPA filters have small effective pore sizes that can capture bacterial cells, endospores, and many viruses. This method is commonly used to sterilize air in clinical settings, cars, airplanes, and even homes. It is also used for filtering water and various types of solutions in the laboratory.
Soap is another effective cleaning agent that solubilizes particles and grime, making them easier to remove. Soap acts as a surfactant and destroys microorganisms by damaging their cellular membranes and denaturing their proteins. It is commonly used in hand washing and general cleaning.