But, how exactly does cooking kill bacteria? Well, it's pretty simple: when bacteria are exposed to high temperatures, their cell membranes start to break down, kind of like when you leave your ice cream outside on a hot day and it starts to melt. This breakdown makes it impossible for the bacteria to survive, and they eventually die.
Now, you might be wondering, what about bacteria that can form spores? These spores are like the special forces of the bacteria world - they're super resilient and can survive in harsh environments. But, even these tough little guys can't withstand extreme heat, like the kind you'd find in a pressure cooker or a thermal oven.