What kills bacteria?

Answer 1

It depends on what type of bacteria you are talking about. Certain bacteria like certain environment pertaining to the temperature, pH, and oxygen available, as well as other substances such as sugar and salt availability. If these are not in their optimum level they will not be able to survive. For instance bacteria which likes to live is a warm environment cannot survive in your refrigerator which is why we use cold to preserve foods.

Some bacteria can like if harsh environments and thus could live in a pool of bleach. Bleach is considered alkaline therefore the bacteria that could live in bleach would be called alkalophiles. Alkalophiles maintain a relatively neutral internal pH by exchanging internal sodium ions for external protons.

So basically to kill bacteria you first have to know what type of bacteria it is and it's optimum levels of temp, O2, and pH, as well as other factors. Then change the environment to the opposite of their optimum environment.

As far as bacteria in your bodies goes, some can be killed inside of your body by phagocytes, which are white blood cells that engulf and digest some bacteria. The bacteria that cannot be "eaten" by phagocytes are pathogenic. These should be treated with antibiotics which act in many different ways to destroy bacteria. Example: Penicillin works by destroying the cell wall.

Hope that answers your question. I could go into more detail so let me know if you would like me too. :) take care

Answer 2

it depends on the bacteria. some are killed by extremely cold or extremely hot temperatures (that's why people boil water to sterilize it), but there are some bacteria that like extreme temperatures. strong chemicals like bleach, alcohol, peroxide, and iodine kill most bacteria. out of these, bleach is the most effective. lack of oxygen, too much oxygen, light, being eaten by other bacteria--the list goes on.

Answer 3

Extended heating, harsh chemicals like bleach, some other hungry creatures like white blood cells, ethylene oxide gas, and UV radiation all kill bacteria.

It depends on where the bacteria are as to what is the best approach.

Answer 4

...and antibiotics. Antibiotics interfere with the metabolism (tetracycline) or with the reproductive process (penicillin) in bacteria that are growing.

Answer 5

pasteurization or sterilization (not only bacteria will die)

other is...acid/burn/subzero temperature
some bacteria need oxygen (aerob) some doesn't need (anaerob)

Answer 6

bleach

Answer 7

OLD AGE....OR ALCOHOL PRETTY MUCH LIKE US