What does sterile mean in microbiology?

A culture is considered sterile if it does not contain any live microorganisms. Although this definition is straightforward, there are some caveats. Some microorganisms can be eliminated simply by heating the sample. Others need to be killed with chemicals to ensure sterility.

What does sterile mean in genomics?

genomic studies, whether they occur in the lab or in the field, are more effective if the sample doesn't contain any contamination from other species. If the sample is not completely sterile, then the results of the lab work could be skewed, and the conclusions drawn could be invalid. For example, if there are human cells in an otherwise pristine sample of soil, the results of a genomic analysis of the bacteria living in that environment could be affected by the genes of the host species.

What does the term sterile mean in microbiology?

A sterile environment is an environment that is free of living microorganisms. It does not refer to an environment which has been disinfected. Disinfection is more about controlling the number of microorganisms rather than removing them entirely.

What does sterile mean in terms of bacteria?

Bacteria can be isolated from sterile or non-sterile environments. The bacteria in a sterile environment are not living in their natural environment. They have been cleaned and isolated from other microorganisms. These bacteria are not harmful to people.

What does sterile mean in genetics?

Sterility refers to the ability to produce offspring without becoming infertile. In other words, it refers to the ability to reproduce. The opposite of sterility is fertility, which means the ability to produce a large number of offspring. A sterile organism is one that has no chance of reproducing, while a fertile organism can reproduce regardless of whether it has a male or female sex.