2007-06-30 12:38:59 · 17 answers · asked by gmakacky 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Yes, if there's enough of it for long enough.
What heat DOESN'T do is destroy the waste products of the bacteria. So if they make toxins as part of their life cycle, and are allowed to grow, no amount of heating will make the food safe to eat again.
2007-06-30 12:41:36 · answer #1 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sufficient heat at a high enough temperature for a sufficient period of time should destroy most pathogens, including bacteria. That's one reason why meat should be cooked thoroughly before it's eaten, so parasites, bacteria, mold spores, etc., are destroyed. Appropriate cooking methods reduce the chances of acquiring an infection or illness to which we may be susceptible. Eating of improperly cooked meats is thought to be responsible for the development of several horrid diseases, such as Ebola virus and HIV.
2007-07-01 12:18:13 · answer #2 · answered by andromedasview@sbcglobal.net 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most bacteria is destroyed by heating food to 140-160 degrees F. However, some spores and toxins are not destoyed by heating.
Here's a website with more details:
2007-06-30 19:53:08 · answer #3 · answered by drea376 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, and no. It take a certain temperature to kill some germs, but not all germs. Bacteria is EVERYWHERE though and not all of it is 'bad' bacteria. Some people become 'germ-o-phobes' and want to 'disinfect' everything ... but in fact, it's those people who tend to get sick faster and stay sick longer than the ones who aren't as 'stringent' about being exposed to germs. WHY? Because by killing off ALL of the bacteria they are encouraging the growth of super-bacteria that are much harder to kill ... where if you are exposed to the 'regular' bacteria, your body builds up immunities and can 'fight off' the bacteria, so they don't get as sick even when they get struck by a 'super bacteria.' Clean is good, but there is such a thing as 'too clean' ... so 'think wisely' about how many bacteria you are 'killing off' and what you might be doing to the 'environment' and to yourself when you do that 'killing.'
2007-06-30 19:45:26 · answer #4 · answered by Kris L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, heat breaks up the bacteria cell wall and destroys their DNA. Then they can't make you sick anymore if you eat them.
2007-06-30 19:47:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some. Some bacteria are able to withstand the temperatures that our food is cooked at.
2007-06-30 19:41:35 · answer #6 · answered by UCB 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes because it is evaporate the food to heat and while bioling the bacteria spread from the food
2007-07-01 01:24:11 · answer #7 · answered by rose mae P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you can cook or desinfect it above 100 centigrades, all bacteriae will die, and viruses will disintegrate for sure...
Thats why people boil all drinking water in third world countries-.......(better safe than suffering infectious diarrhea)
2007-07-04 03:45:18 · answer #8 · answered by Sehr_Klug 50 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on how high a heat you are talking about. But, in general, yes.
2007-06-30 19:41:23 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes in most cases...for ex touching raw meats with your bare hands and then cooking it...kills the bacteria.
2007-06-30 19:41:34 · answer #10 · answered by baby_love_marybeth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋