Final answer:
The technique that combines freezing and drying for preservation is Lyophilization (C). It is a form of dessication that enables long-term storage and maintains the original qualities of the material with less damage than conventional drying methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The technique that combines freezing and drying to preserve microbes and other cells is C) Lyophilization. It's a method of desiccation in which material is rapidly frozen and then placed under a vacuum, allowing the water in it to sublimate. This technique is especially effective because it causes less damage to the preserved items and better maintains their original qualities compared to conventional drying methods. Lyophilized materials, if properly packaged to prevent moisture regain, can be stored at room temperature. Common applications include long-term storage and transportation of microbial cultures, as well as food preservation in the industry.
Lyophilization is different from methods like pasteurization, which uses heat to kill pathogens; or autoclaving, which employs pressurized steam to sterilize. Unlike some other methods of microbial control, lyophilization does not kill microbes—it preserves them in a state that can be reactivated by hydration.