2007-01-27 02:13:26 · 3 answers · asked by angel_4_life_88_2002 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Moist heat is much more effective to kill bacteria and the spores that some of the genera make. This is why an autoclave is used in all microbiology labs. The autoclave has a pressurized sleeve where water is forced to 121C and the material to be sterilized is kept at this temp for 15min. The steam (moist heat) penetrated the dessicated portion of the spores and denatures the proteins so that the spore cannot germinate.
Dry heat requires a much longer time and a higher temp to act, and unless complete incineration occurs, spores can still be viable.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterilization_%28microbiology%29
2007-01-27 03:46:49 · answer #1 · answered by teachbio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dry heat I would say because moist heat would provide the bacteria with water to respirate and grow, whereas dry heat would strip them of any ability to respirate and reproduce.
2007-01-27 02:21:11 · answer #2 · answered by Roger 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
dry heat is more efficient since wet heat provides favourable for bacterias.
2007-01-27 02:24:26 · answer #3 · answered by divas 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋