Cultures of a bacterial species were incubated on the shelf of a refrigerator, out on a lab benchtop, on the shelf of a 37°C incubator and on the shelf of a 50°C incubator.After incubation, there was no growth at 37°C and 50°C, slight growth out on the benchtop, and abundant growth at refrigeration.What term could be used for this species?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the bacterial species grew abundantly at refrigeration (a temperature of approximately 4°C) indicates that it is adapted to cold temperatures and therefore is a psychrophile. The lack of growth at higher temperatures (37°C and 50°C) suggests that it is not adapted to mesophilic or thermophilic conditions. The growth on the lab benchtop suggests that the species may not be strictly anaerobic or may have broad oxygen tolerance. Therefore, the best choice is D - psychrophile.

Cultures of a Bacterial Species Were Incubated on the Shelf