Autoclave is:

• A. A device used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to heat at ambient temperature.
• B. A device used to sterilize equipment and supplies by subjecting them to high pressure saturated steam at 121 °C for around 10-30 minutes.
• C. A device used to measure pH in solutions.
• D. A device used to centrifuge samples.

Answer: (B)

Autoclave uses moist heat delivered under pressure to sterilize items. The key idea is saturated steam at a high temperature, around 121°C, held long enough to kill all microorganisms and their spores; the pressure keeps the water steam above its normal boiling point so heat penetrates thoroughly into packs, glassware, and liquids. That combination—high temperature, moisture, and pressure—makes sterilization reliable, typically in a range like 10–30 minutes depending on the load. Heat at ambient temperature or actions like pH measurement or centrifugation don’t achieve the necessary conditions for sterilization.