Types of microorganisms

Question 1

Define pscyhrophile

Answer 1

organisms that grow optimally at

Question 2

Define psychrotolerant

Answer 2

organisms that can grow 0 degrees, but have optimal growth at 20 to 40 degrees.

Question 3

Define thermophile

Answer 3

organisms that grow optimally at 45 to 80 degrees

Question 4

Define hyperthermophile

Answer 4

organisms that grow optimally at >80 degrees

Question 5

Define mesophile

Answer 5

organisms that grows best in moderate temperature, neither too hot nor too cold, typically between 15 to 40 degrees

Question 6

Define acidophile

Answer 6

organisms that grow optimally at low pH (

Question 7

Define alkaliphile

Answer 7

organisms that grow optimally at high pH (> 8)

Question 8

Define neutophile

Answer 8

organisms that grow optimally between pH 6 to 8

Question 9

Define halophile

Answer 9

organisms that grow optimally at 1 - 15% NaCl

Question 10

Define extreme halophile

Answer 10

organisms that require 15 - 30% NaCl for optimal growth

Question 11

Define halotolerant

Answer 11

can tolerate some NaCl, but grow best in its absence

Question 12

Define barophile (Piezophile)

Answer 12

an organism that thrives at high pressure

Question 13

Define barotolerant

Answer 13

organisms that are able to survive at high pressures, but can exist in less extreme environments as well

Question 14

Define obligate barophiles

Answer 14

organisms that cannot survive outside of high pressure environments

Question 15

Define aerobes

Answer 15

microbes that require oxygen to live, are capable of growth at 21% oxygen or higher

Question 16

Define anaerobes

Answer 16

microbes that do not require oxygen and may even be killed by exposure to oxygen

Question 17

Define facultative organisms

Answer 17

organisms that can live with or without oxygen, but typically grow better in the presence of oxygen

Question 18

Define aerotolerant anaerobes

Answer 18

organisms that can tolerate oxygen and grow in its presence even though they cannot use it

Question 19

Define microaerophiles

Answer 19

organisms that can use oxygen only when it is present at levels reduced from that in air

Question 20

Define autotroph

Answer 20

organisms that use carbon dioxide as their carbon source (carbon fixation), sometimes referred to as primary producers as they produce their own food

Question 21

Define heterotrophs

Answer 21

organisms that require one or more organic molecules for their carbon source, feed directly on autotrophs or live of products produced by autotrophs

Question 22

Define mixotrophs

Answer 22

organisms that obtain carbon from both organic compounds and by fixing carbon dioxide