Bacterial conditions for growth and requirements Flashcards
Studies the functions of living organisms and how those functions work
Physiology
Self nourishing bacteria
-able to grow without the present of organic compounds
-obtain nutrition from carbon in CO2
Autotrophic bacteria
organisms that must obtain their nourishment from complex organic matter
-several different types with varying requirements
Heterotrophic bacteria
an organism that is completely dependent on it’s living hosts for survival
Obligate (strict) parasite
an organism that prefers dead organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of living organic matter under certain conditions
Facultative parasite
an organism that can survive only on dead or decaying organic matter
Obligate (strict) saprophyte
An organism that prefers living organic matter as a source of nutrition but can adapt to the use of dead organic matter under certain conditions
Facultative saprophyte
a microbe that can only live in the presence of free oxygen. Must have oxygen
Obligate (strict) aerobe
a microbe that can survive only in the absence of free oxygen. Can’t have oxygen
Obligate (strict) anaerobe
requiring very little free oxygen; as found with certain bacteria
Microaerophilic
a microorganism that prefers an environment devoid of oxygen but has adapted so that is can live and grow in the presence of oxygen
Facultative aerobe
an organism that prefers the presence of oxygen but is capable of living and growing in it’s absence
Facultative anaerobe
-requirements vary and all species have maximum, optimum, and minimum requirements
-usually disease causing bacteria require a lot of moisture to grow
-molds and yeasts often require less moisture to grow
Moisture requirements
temperature at which organisms grow best
Optimum temperature
temperature below which bacterial growth will not take place
Minimum temperature
temperature above which bacterial growth will not take place
Maximum temperature
bacteria that prefers the cold, thriving at temperatures between 0C and 25C
Psychrophile
bacteria that prefer moderate temperatures and develop best at temperatures between 25C and 40C
Mesophile
bacteria that thrive best at high temperatures, between 40C and 70C
Thermophile
-pH measures how acidic a substance is
-human body is slightly alkaline (basic)
-different bacteria can tolerate different pH levels
pH requirements
-bacteria have various light requirements
-especially important for bacteria that convert light to food
-some light (UV) can destroy some bacteria
Light requirements
