What is the primary function of an autoclave?

What is the primary function of an autoclave?

• A. To cool substances rapidly.
• B. To dry heat sterilize at ambient pressure.
• C. A device for heating substances above their boiling point.
• D. To measure pH of solutions.

Answer: (C)

An autoclave sterilizes by using steam under high pressure to reach temperatures above the normal boiling point. By pressurizing moist heat, it can achieve around 121°C, which is hot enough to denature proteins and kill all microorganisms, including spores. This combination of moist heat and pressure is what makes autoclaving a reliable sterilization method for instruments, media, and other materials. It isn’t about cooling substances, nor about dry-heat sterilization at ambient pressure, and it isn’t used for measuring pH.

An autoclave sterilizes by using steam under high pressure to reach temperatures above the normal boiling point. By pressurizing moist heat, it can achieve around 121°C, which is hot enough to denature proteins and kill all microorganisms, including spores. This combination of moist heat and pressure is what makes autoclaving a reliable sterilization method for instruments, media, and other materials. It isn’t about cooling substances, nor about dry-heat sterilization at ambient pressure, and it isn’t used for measuring pH.