Final answer:
Degerming refers to the physical removal of microbes from skin to reduce their numbers, not to completely eliminate them. Sterilization involves removing or killing all microbes from an item or environment. Pasteurization uses heat to control microbes in food without compromising its quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Degermation and antisepsis can be accomplished with the same procedure, and the term 'degerming' refers to the process of physically removing germs from the skin. This procedure does not completely eliminate microbes but significantly reduces their numbers. For example, handwashing or wiping the skin with an alcohol swab are common methods of degerming. On the other hand, sterilization involves the complete removal or killing of all vegetative cells, endospores, and viruses from an item or environment, which can be achieved through physical means like heat or chemicals. While sterilization is ideal for medical applications, pasteurization is a microbial control method that uses heat to kill pathogens and reduce the number of spoilage-causing microbes in food, without rendering the food sterile, thus maintaining food quality.