Explain the observation: water used to sterilize surgical equipment is heated to 120 degrees celsius at 2.0 atm in an autoclave.
The observation states that water is being used to sterilize surgical equipment in an autoclave. To accomplish this, the water is heated to a specific temperature of 120 degrees Celsius and pressurized to 2.0 atm.
An autoclave is a piece of equipment commonly used in medical facilities to sterilize various items, including surgical instruments. It works by subjecting the items to high temperature and pressure, effectively killing bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that may be present.
To understand how the water in the autoclave helps in sterilization, we need to consider the combined effect of temperature and pressure.
Temperature:
Heating the water to 120 degrees Celsius is important because it ensures the destruction of most microorganisms. At this high temperature, the proteins, enzymes, and DNA within the organisms denature, rendering them incapable of surviving or reproducing.
Pressure:
The autoclave applies a pressure of 2.0 atm to the system. This is done to increase the boiling point of water, preventing it from evaporating and maintaining its liquid state at higher temperatures. At 2.0 atm of pressure, the boiling point of water increases to approximately 121 degrees Celsius.
By raising the temperature to 120 degrees Celsius and maintaining a pressure of 2.0 atm, the autoclave allows the water to stay in its liquid form while rapidly killing any microorganisms that may be present on the surgical equipment. The combination of high temperature and pressure ensures a thorough sterilization process.
It is important to note that the pressure used in autoclaves may vary depending on the specific requirements of the sterilization process and the materials being treated. The parameters should always be carefully regulated to achieve effective sterilization and ensure the safety of medical procedures.