What is the practice of removing or destroying microorganisms known as?

The practice of removing or destroying microorganisms is best defined as antisepsis. Antisepsis specifically refers to the use of antiseptic agents to eliminate or neutralize pathogens that could cause infection, particularly in surgical or wound care settings. This technique is crucial in preventing infection by ensuring that the area is free from harmful bacteria before and during medical procedures.

In contrast, asepsis refers to the practice of keeping an environment completely free from all microorganisms, including bacterial spores, and it often includes techniques like sterilization. Sanitization, on the other hand, typically involves lowering the number of microorganisms to safe levels as per public health guidelines but does not necessarily eliminate them entirely. Disinfection is the process of applying a chemical agent to destroy or inactivate living microorganisms on surfaces, but it may not be effective against all pathogens or spores. Thus, while all these choices relate to controlling microorganisms, antisepsis is specifically the practice focused on removing or destroying them to prevent infection.