The method of removing vegetative life forms from living surfaces is termed?

The method of removing vegetative life forms from living surfaces is termed disinfection. Disinfection involves using chemical or physical agents to reduce the number of viable pathogens on a surface, effectively eliminating most germs, including bacteria and viruses, but not necessarily all microbial forms, such as bacterial spores. This process is crucial in healthcare and sanitation to prevent infection and maintain hygiene.

In contrast, sterilization denotes the complete destruction of all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores, making it a more intensive process than disinfection. Decontamination refers to a broader process that reduces the levels of infectious agents and may involve sanitization or disinfection as part of the overall effort. Sanitization commonly focuses on reducing the number of microorganisms to safe levels as determined by public health standards, which may not necessarily achieve the level of microbial kill seen in disinfection. Thus, the term disinfection specifically targets the reduction of vegetative life forms on surfaces, making it the correct answer.