Final answer:
Cold treatment and dessication can be reliable methods for sterilization or disinfection, as they can significantly reduce the numbers of microorganisms and prevent their growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cold treatment and dessication can be reliable methods for sterilization or disinfection. Cold treatment, also known as cryogenic treatment, uses extremely low temperatures to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Dessication, or drying, can also be effective in removing water from microorganisms, preventing their growth and survival.
For example, lyophilization, which combines cold exposure and dessication, is commonly used for long-term storage of laboratory materials and food. Although these methods may not completely eliminate all microbes, they can significantly reduce their numbers and prevent their growth.
Therefore, the statement that cold treatment and dessication cannot be reliable used for sterilization or disinfection is false.