Cavitation

Definition

Cavitation is the formation and collapse of vapor-filled bubbles in a liquid, which can result in localized high temperatures and pressures. In microbiology, this phenomenon is often used for the mechanical disruption of cells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cavitation can effectively disrupt microbial cell walls and membranes, aiding in sterilization processes.
2. Ultrasonic cleaners utilize cavitation to clean laboratory equipment by removing microbial contaminants.
3. The intense conditions produced during cavitation can lead to the denaturation of proteins within microorganisms.
4. Cavitation is a non-thermal method of microbial control, making it useful for heat-sensitive materials.
5. Bubble collapse during cavitation generates shock waves that are lethal to microorganisms.

Review Questions

• How does cavitation contribute to the mechanical disruption of microbial cells?
• Why is cavitation considered effective for cleaning laboratory equipment?
• What makes cavitation a suitable method for controlling microorganisms in heat-sensitive environments?

Related terms

Ultrasonication: A technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to induce cavitation for cell disruption and cleaning.

Sterilization: The process of eliminating all forms of microbial life from an object or environment.

Sonication: A process similar to ultrasonication but typically involves lower frequencies and different applications such as mixing or dispersing samples.