Which of the following techniques is used to destroy all microbial life?

Sterilization is the technique specifically designed to destroy all microbial life, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. This process ensures complete elimination of all organisms on a surface or in a substance, which is crucial in settings requiring the highest levels of cleanliness, such as surgical environments or when preparing tools used in personal care services like nail technology.

The methods of sterilization can include autoclaving, dry heat, or chemical means, and they are effective where disinfection is insufficient because while disinfection reduces the number of harmful organisms, it does not eliminate all forms of life. Other techniques such as cleaning and sanitization focus on removing dirt and reducing the number of germs to safer levels, but they do not achieve the comprehensive eradication of all microbial life that sterilization accomplishes. Thus, understanding the distinction between these terms is vital for maintaining safety and hygiene in any professional setting.