Chapter 6 - Microbial Growth Flashcards
What is microbial growth?
An increase in cell size
What is the official name for increased cell size?
Hypertrophy
What is an increase in cell numbers?
Reproduction
What is another term for increase in cell number?
Hyperplasia
What are the two general categories of requirements for cell growth?
Physical and chemical factors
What is the lowest temperature at which organisms can grow?
Minimum growth temperature
What is Optimum growth temperature?
The temperature at which reproduction is fastest; favorable balance of cell death and reproduction
What is the highest temperature an organism can withstand?
Maximum growth temperature
What are the three physical requirements for growth?
Ideal temperature, pH, and osmotic pressure
What is the name for cold-loving organisms?
Psychrophiles
What temperature range do psychrophiles prefer?
0 - 20/30 C
What is the name of microorganisms that prefer moderate or warm temperatures?
Mesophiles
What heat range do mesophiles withstand?
20 - 40/45 C
What is the name of mesophiles that are specifically adapted to human body temperature?
Psychrotrophs
What is the name of heat-loving microorganisms?
Thermophiles
What heat range do thermophiles prefer?
40 - 80 C
If an organism thrives at temperatures above 65 C, what is it called?
Extreme thermophile
At what temperature do all microorganism die?
110 C; proteins denature
In what pH range do most bacteria grow?
6.5 - 7.5
What is the name of organisms that reproduce in an alkaline environment?
Alkalophiles
What pH do molds and yeasts prefer?
5-6 pH
What maintains pH homeostasis?
Buffers
At what pH can very few organisms grow?
Less than 4
What is the name of organisms that can grow at a pH less than 4?
Acidophilic
What preserves foods like pickles, sauerkraut, and cheese?
Acids produced during fermentation
What is tonicity?
The amount of solutes
Same amount of solute within and without
Isotonic
More solute outside of cell than within
hypotonic cell in a hypertonic solution
If put into a hypertonic solution, what will microbes undergo?
Plasmolysis
What 3 steps happen in plasmolysis?
- water leaves cell
- cell membrane separates from cell wall
- death
What is the name of organisms that survive in a hypertonic solution?
Halophiles
Is the mere presence of water enough to sustain microbial life?
No, water must be present and available
What are the three basic chemical requirements of organisms?
- Carbon
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorous and sulfur
What makes up 50% of a bacteria’s dry weight?
Carbon
What is carbon needed for in a cell?
All organic compounds
From where can carbon be obtained?
Organic compounds, CO2
What percent of a bacteria cell’s dry weight is nitrogen?
14
What is nitrogen used for in cells?
Nucleic acids, ATP, protein synthesis
Where is nitrogen obtained?
Soil, protein catabolism, nitrogen fixation
What genus uses nitrogen fixation to obtain nitrogen?
Rhizobium
What two elements make up 4% of a bacteria cell’s dry weight?
Phosphorous and sulfur
What are phosphorous and sulfur used for within a cell?
Nucleic acid synthesis, vitamin production, phospholipid synthesis
What is the cell membrane primarily composed of?
Phosphorous and sulfur
Where are phosphorous and sulfur obtained from?
Soil
If an organism needs oxygen to survive, what is its classification?
Obligate aerobe