Textbook Question
A pastry chef accidentally inoculated a cream pie with six S. aureus cells. If S. aureus has a generation time of 60 minutes, how many cells would be in the cream pie after 7 hours?
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Ch. 6 - Microbial Growth
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398
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Table of contents
- Ch. 1 - The Microbial World and You18
- Ch. 2 - Chemical Principles20
- Ch. 3 - Observing Microorganisms Through a Microscope18
- Ch. 4 - Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells21
- Ch. 5 - Microbial Metabolism20
- Ch. 6 - Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 7 - The Control of Microbial Growth20
- Ch. 8 - Microbial Genetics19
- Ch. 9 - Biotechnology & DNA Technology20
- Ch. 10 - Classification of Microorganisms15
- Ch. 11 - The Prokaryotes: Domains Bacteria and Archaea14
- Ch. 12 - The Eukaryotes: Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, and Helminths17
- Ch. 13 - Viruses, Viroids, and Prions20
- Ch. 14 - Principles of Disease and Epidemiology21
- Ch. 15 - Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity19
- Ch. 16 - Innate Immunity: Nonspecific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 17 - Adaptive Immunity: Specific Defenses of the Host20
- Ch. 18 - Practical Applications of Immunology20
- Ch. 19 - Disorders Associated with the Immune System19
- Ch. 20 - Antimicrobial Drugs19
- Ch. 21 - Microbial Diseases of the Skin and Eyes21
- Ch. 22 - Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System19
- Ch. 23 - Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems20
- Ch. 24 - Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory System20
- Ch. 25 - Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System20
- Ch. 26 - Microbial Diseases of the Urinary and Reproductive Systems19
- Ch. 27 - Environmental Microbiology20
- Ch. 28 - Applied and Industrial Microbiology19
Tortora14th EditionMicrobiology: An IntroductionISBN: 9780138200398Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 6, Problem 7
Which one of the following temperatures would most likely kill a mesophile?
a. -50℃
b. 0℃
c. 9℃
d. 37℃
e. 60℃
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand what a mesophile is: Mesophiles are microorganisms that grow best at moderate temperatures, typically between 20℃ and 45℃, with an optimum around 37℃.
Analyze each temperature option in relation to the mesophile's growth range:
a. -50℃ is extremely cold and well below the freezing point, which would inhibit growth but may not necessarily kill all mesophiles immediately.
b. 0℃ and c. 9℃ are cold temperatures that slow down metabolism but usually do not kill mesophiles; they may enter a dormant state.
e. 60℃ is above the upper limit of the mesophile's growth range and is likely to denature proteins and enzymes, leading to cell death.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Mesophiles and Their Optimal Temperature Range
Mesophiles are microorganisms that thrive at moderate temperatures, typically between 20°C and 45°C. Their enzymes and cellular processes function best within this range, making extreme temperatures outside this range harmful or lethal.
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Temperature Requirements for Microbial Growth
Effect of High Temperatures on Microbial Cells
High temperatures, usually above 50°C, can denature proteins and disrupt cell membranes in mesophiles, leading to cell death. Heat can irreversibly damage essential enzymes, preventing normal metabolic functions.
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Effect of Low Temperatures on Microbial Cells
Low temperatures slow down microbial metabolism and growth but generally do not kill mesophiles unless freezing causes ice crystal formation that damages cell structures. Temperatures below freezing typically inhibit activity rather than cause death.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Which of the following is not a characteristic of biofilms?
a. Antibiotic resistance
b. Hydrogel
c. Iron deficiency
d. Quorum sensing
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Textbook Question
Use the following information to answer questions 1 and 2. Two culture media were inoculated with four different bacteria. After incubation, the following results were obtained:
Medium 2 is:
a. Selective
b. Differential
c. Both selective and differential
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Textbook Question
Nitrogen and phosphorus added to beaches following an oil spill encourage the growth of natural oil-degrading bacteria. Explain why the bacteria do not grow if nitrogen and phosphorus are not added.
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Textbook Question
Differentiate complex and chemically defined media.
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Textbook Question
The term trace elements refers to
a. The elements CHONPS.
b. Vitamins.
c. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur.
d. Small mineral requirements.
e. Toxic substances.
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