Which term is defined as the use of antiseptics to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms?

Which term is defined as the use of antiseptics to eliminate disease-causing microorganisms?

• A. Sterilization
• B. Antisepsis
• C. Sanitization
• D. Disinfection

Answer: (B)

Antisepsis is the process of applying antiseptics to living tissue to kill or inhibit disease-causing microorganisms. This is distinct from sterilization, which aims to destroy all microorganisms on inanimate objects (including spores), and from disinfection and sanitization, which target inanimate surfaces—disinfection removing most pathogens and sanitization reducing microbial numbers to safe levels. Because the question describes using antiseptics on living tissue to eliminate disease-causing microbes, antisepsis is the best-fit term.

Antisepsis is the process of applying antiseptics to living tissue to kill or inhibit disease-causing microorganisms. This is distinct from sterilization, which aims to destroy all microorganisms on inanimate objects (including spores), and from disinfection and sanitization, which target inanimate surfaces—disinfection removing most pathogens and sanitization reducing microbial numbers to safe levels. Because the question describes using antiseptics on living tissue to eliminate disease-causing microbes, antisepsis is the best-fit term.