What is the complete destruction of all forms of living micro-organisms called?

The complete destruction of all forms of living microorganisms is referred to as sterilization. This process is crucial in medical and laboratory settings to ensure that instruments, surfaces, and materials are free from any viable microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. Sterilization can be achieved through various methods, such as autoclaving (pressurized steam), dry heat, radiation, or chemical means.

Decontamination involves reducing the number of microorganisms to a safe level but does not guarantee complete destruction. Fumigation is a method often used to disinfect or sterilize an area by releasing gaseous substances, but it is not synonymous with the complete destruction of all microorganisms. Germination refers to the process of a seed or spore developing into a new organism and is unrelated to sterilization in the context of microbial control. Thus, sterilization is the precise term for the complete eradication of all living microorganisms.