Question

Which of the following could be used to sterilize plastic petri plates in a plastic wrapper? A) ultraviolet radiation B) microwaves C) autoclave D) sunlight E) gamma radiation

Answer 1

Gamma radiation could be used to sterilize plastic petri plates in a plastic wrapper.

Answer: Option E

Explanation:

It is known that radioactive radiations have greater ionizing powers compared to other electromagnetic radiations. Among the radioactive radiations, gamma rays are the most ionizing radiation.

So they are widely used in sterilizing process. As the penetration power of gamma is more compared to alpha and beta, in order to kill microorganisms gamma radiations are used.

When plastic petri plates wrapped with plastic are bombarded or sterilizing with gamma rays, the rays will ionise the micro-organism. Thus mutilating their DNA and preventing their reproduction.