1. Classify microbes into five groups on the basis of preferred temperature range.

Hyperthermophile (60 degrees C and upwards)

Hyperthermophile has the highest documented growth temperatures for life, and pure
culture experiments under well specified and controlled conditions in the laboratory
have been the key source of information about it. These  tests, 105-106°C for an
organism is the highest optimum growth temperature.

Thermophile (optimal growth between 45 and 122 degrees)

A thermophile is an organism, which thrives at a relative high temperature between 41

and 122°C. It is a type of extremophile organism. There are a lot of thermophiles. It is
proposed that thermophilic eubacteria were one of the first bacteria.

Mesophile (20 and 45 degrees C)

An organism with a mesophilic growth range of 20 to 45 °C is best developed at mild

temperatures, not too hot or too cold. The concept is used specifically for
microorganisms. Organisms choosing harsh conditions are referred to as
extremophiles.

Psychrotrophs (will survive at 0 degrees C, but prefer mesophilic temperature)

Bacteria or Archaea that can thrive at low temperatures but have optimal and maximum
temperatures above 15 and 20°C respectively are the cold-tolerant psychrotrophs. The
Earth has wide-ranging cold habitats which do not exceed 5° C.

Psychrophiles (-15 and 10 degrees C or lower)

Psychrophiles or cryophiles are extremophilic organisms that are capable of growth and
reproduction in low temperatures, ranging from −20 °C to +10 °C. They are found in
places that are permanently cold, such as the polar regions and the deep sea.

2. Identify how and why the ph of culture media is controlled.

Between pH 6.5 and 7.5, most bacteria grow. If bacteria are grown in the laboratory,
they frequently produce acids which interfere with their own growth. Chemical buffers
are used in the growth medium to neutralize the acids and preserve the correct pH.
Peptones and amino acids serve as buffers in certain media, and phosphate salts often
contain several media. The benefit of phosphate salts is their buffering in most
bacteria's pH-growth spectrum. They are also non-toxic, since they are a vital nutrient
called phosphorus.
3. Explain the importance of osmotic pressure to microbial growth.
When high concentrations exist, cell growth is inhibited. Large concentrations of salt
and sugar extract water from any current microbial cells and inhibit their development
thereby. Hypertons with elevated salt or sugar can induce cell plasmolysis.

4. Explain how microbes are classified on the basis of oxygen requirements.

An obligate aerobes is an organism needing the production of oxygen. These cells use
oxygen by cell breathing to generate energy by metabolizing compounds such as
sugars or fats. Oxygen acts as the electron terminal acceptor for the electron transport
chain in this type of respiration.
A facultative anaerobe is an organism which when oxygen is present, makes ATP by
aerobic breathing but can turn to fermentation if oxygen is missing.
Obligate anaerobes are microorganisms that are killed at natural oxygen levels in the
atmosphere. The tolerance for oxygen varies between organisms, some with a potential
of up to 8% oxygen, others loss their viability, except for less than 0.5% oxygen
concentration.
Aerotolerant anaerobes are used to produce ATP by fermentation. It does not use
oxygen, so it does guard against reactive oxygen molecules. Reactive oxygen
molecules can, on the other hand, destroy mandatory anaerobes.
A microaerophile is a microorganism that needs oxygen but requires conditions that
have lower oxygen levels than those in the atmosphere. Many microaerophiles are
capnophiles which require a high carbon dioxide concentration.

5. Identify ways in whichaerobes avoid damage by toxic forms of oxygen.

In the phagolysosome of the phagocytic cell, ingested pathogens are killed by exposure
to these toxic forms of oxygen.
-Singlet oxygen: O2 boosted to a higher-energy state. Toxic form of oxygen, neutralized
by pigments called carotenoids.
-Superoxide free radicals: Toxic form of oxygen that is detoxified by superoxide
dismutase.
-Peroxide anion: Toxic form of oxygen which is detoxified by catalase or peroxidase
-Hydroxyl radical: Most reactive of the toxic forms of oxygen.