Medical Microbiology - Microbial Growth

The lowest temperature at which a specific bacteria can grow and survive; below this temperature, growth ceases.

The temperature at which a particular bacteria exhibits the fastest growth rate and thrives best.

The highest temperature at which a specific bacteria can survive and grow; beyond this temperature, growth stops and the bacteria may die.

The range of temperatures within which a bacteria can grow, typically between the minimum and maximum growth temperatures.

Bacteria that thrive in cold temperatures, typically between -10°C and 20°C.

Bacteria that can tolerate cold temperatures, but grow best at moderate temperatures, typically between 0°C and 30°C.

Bacteria that thrive at moderate temperatures, typically between 10°C and 48°C.

Bacteria that thrive in hot temperatures, typically between 40°C and 72°C.

Bacteria that thrive in extremely high temperatures, typically between 65°C and 110°C.

The group of bacteria that includes most normal human flora and many medically important pathogens. They grow best at 37°C, which is our body temperature.

Harmful forms of oxygen that cells need to detoxify, including superoxide (O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

An enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into water (H2O) and oxygen (O2).

An enzyme that converts superoxide (O2-) into hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and oxygen (O2).

Organisms that require oxygen (O2) for energy production and have both SOD and catalase to detoxify harmful forms of oxygen.

Organisms that can grow with or without oxygen (O2) and have both SOD and catalase for detoxifying oxygen.

Organisms that can tolerate but do not utilize oxygen (O2). They only have SOD to detoxify oxygen's toxic forms.

Organisms that require low levels of oxygen (O2) for growth. They may have SOD and/or catalase.

Organisms that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen (O2). They lack both catalase and SOD.

A culture medium that provides both aerobic and anaerobic environments, allowing the growth of different types of organisms.

Bacteria that require higher carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations than normally present in the atmosphere (5-10%).

The measure of hydrogen ion concentration in a solution, impacting microbial growth. A neutral pH is around 7, while acidic solutions have lower pH values and alkaline solutions have higher pH values.

Microorganisms that thrive in environments with a neutral pH, typically between 6.8 and 7.4. Most bacteria belong to this category.

Microorganisms that prefer acidic environments with a pH range of 4.5 to 5.5. Many fungi fall into this category.

Microorganisms that prefer alkaline environments with a pH range of 8 to 9. These are less common than acidophiles or neutrophiles.

The pressure exerted by a solution due to the concentration of dissolved solutes, influencing the movement of water across cell membranes.

Microorganisms that grow best in environments with low osmotic pressure, similar to their internal environment.

Microorganisms that can tolerate high osmotic pressure, but do not require it for growth. They can survive in environments with higher salt concentrations, up to 10%.

Microorganisms that require a relatively high salt concentration for growth, usually above 20%. Some Archaea fall into this category.

The requirement of oxygen for growth, categorized as obligate aerobes, facultative anaerobes, microaerophiles, aerotolerant anaerobes, and obligate anaerobes.

The utilization of oxygen during metabolism can generate harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS or free radicals). These are toxic molecules that can damage cells. However, cells have detoxifying enzymes to convert ROS to harmless substances.