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How does wet heat sterilization, such as an autoclave, work to inactivate bacteria and other infectious pathogens?

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Answer and Explanation:

The microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are basically composed of biological macromolecules (lipids, proteins, polysaccharides). As the temperature increases, the structure of proteins is disrupted and they lose their function. For example, enzymes that catalyze biological reactions are inactivated.

Therefore, wet heat sterilization is a process in which the material is heated during a certain time at a certain high temperature to destroy the microorganisms by producing the denaturation of structural proteins and enzymes.

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