Which process completely destroys all microbial life, including spores?

The process that completely destroys all microbial life, including spores, is sterilization. This method involves the use of physical or chemical means to eliminate all forms of microbial life, achieving a level of cleanliness that ensures no viable organisms remain. Sterilization is essential in settings where it is critical to eliminate all pathogens, such as in medical instruments or laboratory environments.

Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt, debris, and organic material, but it does not kill microorganisms. Disinfection involves using antimicrobial agents to reduce the number of pathogens to a safe level but does not necessarily eliminate all spores or non-pathogenic microbes. Sanitization means reducing the microbial load to a safe level, often suitable for public health standards, but again, this does not achieve the complete eradication achieved through sterilization.