Final answer:
All the options provided (heat, soap and detergent, and radiation) are agents used to control microbial growth. Heat kills microbes through denaturation of proteins, soap and detergents disrupt membranes, and radiation can damage DNA. Effectiveness varies with factors like temperature and concentration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Agents used to control the growth of microbes include a variety of physical and chemical methods. To answer your question, all of the above options (a. heat, b. soap and detergent, c. radiation) are agents used for controlling microbial growth.
Heat is a common method for killing microbes by altering their membranes and denaturing proteins. Soap and detergent work by disrupting the microbial cell membranes, while filtration physically removes microbes rather than killing them. Radiation, such as ultraviolet light, can damage microbial DNA, thereby inhibiting growth or causing cell death. When it comes to preventing infection on tissues, antiseptics are suitable for use.
It's important to understand that the effectiveness of these agents can vary depending on several factors including temperature, concentration, and the presence of organic matter. Additionally, factors such as the specific microorganism and the environment in which it is located can affect susceptibility to these control methods.