Which of the following is most resistant to sterilization?
Cysts
Prions
Spores
Viruses
Prions are infectious proteins without any detectable nuclic acid they are highly resistant to physical and chemical agents. Heat : they are extremly resistant to dry heat. they are most resistant to moist heat than bacteria spores fungi and viruses Chemicals: prions are inactivated by sodium hypochlorite . they are also sensitive to household bleach, phenol and iodine disinfectants . chemicals such as aldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, ethylene oxide , ethanol and ionising radiations are found to be ineffective Ref:textbook of Microbiology Dr.C.P.Baveja 4th Edition pg no: 39
general microbiology