Which term describes the destruction of microorganisms?

• A. Deactivate
• B. Decontaminate
• C. Clean
• D. Disinfect

Answer: (D)

Destruction of microorganisms on surfaces is achieved through disinfection. Disinfection targets and inactivates most disease-causing microbes on inanimate objects, reducing the risk of transmission. It’s more specific than cleaning, which just removes soil and debris and may reduce some microbes but doesn’t guarantee their destruction. Decontaminate is a broader term that can involve cleaning, disinfection, or sterilization depending on the process, so it isn’t as precise about the outcome. Deactivate isn’t the standard term used to describe this microbial destruction in surface hygiene. If you needed to remove all life, including spores, you’d aim for sterilization, but for reducing most pathogens on surfaces, disinfection is the correct concept.