Question

What is microbial death? Name 3 factors that affect microbial death rate.

Answer 1

Microbial death refers to killing microorganisms. Three factors affecting microbial death rate are exposure time, susceptibility, and concentration or intensity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Microbial death refers to the killing of microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi. It is often measured by the decimal reduction time (DRT), which is the time it takes for a specific protocol to decrease the number of organisms in a population by 90%.

Three factors that affect microbial death rate include:

1. Exposure time: Longer exposure times kill more microbes. A shorter treatment time is needed when starting with a smaller number of organisms.
2. Susceptibility: The susceptibility of microorganisms to a disinfecting agent or protocol affects the effectiveness of microbial control. Different microorganisms may have varying tolerance levels to the same agent.
3. Concentration or intensity: Higher temperatures and higher concentrations of disinfectants can kill microbes more quickly and effectively.