What process is defined as the destruction or removal of all life forms, including spores?

Sterilization is the process defined as the complete destruction or removal of all life forms, including bacterial spores. This process is crucial in environments where the absence of microorganisms is necessary, such as in medical facilities, laboratories, and certain aspects of mortuary science.

Sterilization can be achieved through various methods, such as autoclaving, dry heat, ethylene oxide gas, or radiation. Each of these methods effectively targets and eliminates viruses, bacteria, and their spores, ensuring that surfaces, instruments, or materials are free from any viable pathogens.

In contrast, the other processes listed do not achieve this level of microbial control. Disinfection reduces the number of pathogens but does not necessarily eliminate all spores and is typically used on inanimate objects. Sanitization aims to reduce microbial numbers to safe levels, which is often relevant in food handling and public health contexts. Antisepsis is focused on removing or inhibiting the growth of pathogens on living tissues, making it suitable for skin or wound applications but not for eliminating all life forms.