Final answer:
Microbial control refers to the process of destroying or inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. It can be achieved through physical or chemical methods. Sterilization, which completely removes or kills all microbes and viruses, and the use of disinfectants and antiseptics are examples of microbial control methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of destroying or inhibiting the growth of pathogenic microorganisms is known as microbial control. This can be achieved through various methods, including physical and chemical means. Physical methods, such as heat or radiation, kill or inactivate the microorganisms, while chemical methods use antimicrobial chemicals to achieve the same result.
One example of physical microbial control is sterilization, which aims to completely remove or kill all microbes and viruses from a target object or environment. Sterilization can be achieved through exposure to high heat, pressure, or filtration. Chemicals that can achieve sterilization are called sterilants. On the other hand, chemical microbial control methods include the use of disinfectants and antiseptics, which can inactivate most microbes on surfaces or on living tissues, respectively.