Organisms in an autoclave are destroyed because the process of sterilization does what?

The process of sterilization using an autoclave primarily works by subjecting organisms to high-pressure steam at elevated temperatures, typically around 121 degrees Celsius. The key mechanism through which this process effectively destroys microbial life is by coagulating cellular proteins.

Proteins are essential components of all living cells, playing critical roles in structure and function. When exposed to the high temperatures and pressure of an autoclave, proteins denature, meaning their three-dimensional structures unravel. This denaturation disrupts normal cellular processes and can ultimately lead to cell death.

In addition to protein coagulation, the extreme conditions may also damage nucleic acids and disrupt cellular membranes. However, the primary reason for the effectiveness of autoclaving as a sterilization method is the denaturation of proteins, which is a direct cause of the thermal destruction of microorganisms. This is why protein coagulation is the correct answer and central to understanding how autoclaves achieve sterilization.