Unit 4 - Microbial Growth Flashcards
Acidophile
Microorganism that grows below pH 4.0.
Aerobe
A microorganism that requires oxygen for growth
Anaerobe
A microorganism that is unable to use oxygen for growth
Asepsis
The prevention of microbial contamination
Colony
A visible collection of microbes growing on a nutrient medium
Culture
The growth of microorganisms in a liquid or solid medium
Differential medium
A solid nutrient base that distinguishes between colonies of microorganisms
Disinfectant
A solution that retards the growth of microorganisms, but does not necessarily kill them
Facultative anaerobe
A microorganism that is capable of growing in the presence or absence of oxygen
Generation time
The time needed for a microbial cell to divide
Germicide
A substance that can kill bacteria, but not necessarily their spores
Halophile
A microorganism that is capable of growing in high salt concentrations
Mesophile
A microorganism that grows in moderate temperatures (25 to 40 Celsius)
Microaerophile
A microorganism that grows in very low concentrations of oxygen
Optimum
Ideal (optimum) condition
Psychrophile
A microorganism that grows in temperature of less than 20 degrees Celsius
Psychotroph
A microorganism that has an optimal growth temperature of between 0-30 degrees Celsius
Selective medium
A solid or liquid base that supports the growth of certain microorganisms and suppresses the growth of others
Sterilization
The process by which microorganisms are killed
Thermal death time
A minimum time required to kill bacteria in a liquid culture
Thermopile
A microorganism that is capable of growing at high temperature
