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Microbiology Environmental Factors Affecting Growth
Microbiology Environmental Factors Affecting Growth
Osmotic Effects:
Water Activity: Water activity,
abbreviated a , is defined as the ratio
of the vapor pressure of the air in
equilibrium with a substance or
solution to the vapor pressure of
pure water.
The cytoplasm of a cell typically has
a higher solute concentration than
the environment, so water tends to
diffuse into the cell. Under such
conditions, the cell is said to be in
positive water balance.
w
Salinity :
Anaerobes
Obligate
Require O2
Micrococcus
luteus
Aero tolerant
Facultative
Not required,
but grow better
with O2
E. Coli
Obligate
Microaerophilic
Required, but at
low level
Spirillum
volutans
Obligate aerobes
Facultative aerobe
Microaerophilic
:
Aerobic respiration
:
Aerobic respiration, Fermentation and
Aerobic respiration
Obligate anaerobes :
Fermentation
Aerotolerant
:
Fermentation and
Anaerobic respiration
Streptococcus
O2 is harmful
Methanobacterium
Anaerobic respiration