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Sterilization is the process of rendering something free from viable microorganisms, such as bacteria, spores, and viruses. This can be achieved through physical methods like heat (steam or dry heat) or chemical agents. In biochemistry, sterilization aims to eliminate all forms of life.12

There are two main types of sterilization:
* General Sterilization: This involves the complete destruction of all microorganisms, often using high temperatures (e.g., 120°C for 15 minutes with steam, or 160-180°C for three hours with dry heat).2
* Reproductive Sterilization: This refers to making a living organism incapable of reproduction, often through surgical procedures.1

Sterilization is crucial in various fields, including medicine for surgical equipment and in food preservation to ensure safety and extend shelf life. Germfree research also utilizes sterilization techniques to study the effects of microorganisms on living organisms.134

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