Question

Cultures of a bacterial species were incubated on the shelf of a refrigerator (5 C), out on a lab bench top (22 C), 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 in the refrigerator, and abundant growth on the lab bench top. What term could be used for this species?
A) halophile
B) mesophile
C) anaerobe
D) psychrotroph

Answer 1

D) Psychrotrophs.

Explanation:

• Psychrotrophs are those bacteria which can tolerate cold temperature and have optimum growth above 15 degree Celsius.
• Halophiles prefer high salt concentration.
• Mesophiles prefer temperatures with a average of 37 degree Celsius.
• Anaerobes grow in absence of oxygen.
• In the given experiment, none of the bacterial cultures were placed in saline or anaerobic conditions. So, the bacterial species is not an anaerobe or halophile.
• Again the cultures did not show growth at 37 degree celsius so they are not mesophiles.
• Maximum growth at 22 degree celsius and a little growth in refrigerator make it obvious that the species is a Psychrotroph.