Which statement about freezing and pathogens is true?

Which statement about freezing and pathogens is true?

• A. Freezing kills all pathogens
• B. Freezing enhances pathogen growth
• C. Freezing does not kill pathogens
• D. Freezing turns pathogens into spores

Answer: (C)

Freezing slows or stops the growth of pathogens by lowering the temperature, but it does not reliably kill them. Many bacteria, viruses, and other microbes can survive freezing and remain viable, ready to resume activity when thawed, especially if they’re protected by food, moisture, or other surrounding material. This means freezing is not a guaranteed way to decontaminate or sterilize anything. So the true statement is that freezing does not kill pathogens. The idea that freezing would destroy all pathogens is incorrect, and freezing is not known to turn pathogens into spores or to actively promote their growth.

Freezing slows or stops the growth of pathogens by lowering the temperature, but it does not reliably kill them. Many bacteria, viruses, and other microbes can survive freezing and remain viable, ready to resume activity when thawed, especially if they’re protected by food, moisture, or other surrounding material. This means freezing is not a guaranteed way to decontaminate or sterilize anything.

So the true statement is that freezing does not kill pathogens. The idea that freezing would destroy all pathogens is incorrect, and freezing is not known to turn pathogens into spores or to actively promote their growth.