Which process eliminates many or all microorganisms but not bacterial endospores?

The process that eliminates many or all microorganisms but not bacterial endospores is disinfection. Disinfection involves the use of chemical agents or physical methods to substantially reduce the number of viable microorganisms, making surfaces and objects safer for handling. However, it typically does not guarantee the complete destruction of all microbial forms, especially resistant spores like bacterial endospores.

Understanding disinfection is essential in various settings, such as hospitals or laboratories, where the goal is to reduce the risk of infection or contamination without needing to achieve complete sterilization, which is a more rigorous process that destroys all forms of microbial life, including endospores. This is why disinfection is commonly used on inanimate objects, as it is effective at reducing harmful pathogens without the need for the higher-level sterilization process, which may not always be practical or necessary.