Question

What are the conditions required for microbial growth?

Answer 1

Physical Requirements

Temperature: Microorganisms are classified into three primary groups on the basis of their preferred range of temperature:

psychrophiles (cold- loving microbes),

mesophiles (moderate-temperature-loving microbes),

thermophiles (heat-loving microbes).

pH: pH 6.5-7 (neutral range) is best suited for bacterial growth. However some bacteria can grow at an acidic pH below about pH 4, are called acidophiles. While some bacteria prefer an alkaline pH (8-9), are called alkalophiles. Molds and yeasts (fungus) require an optimum pH of about 5 to 6 for growth.

Osmotic Pressure: Microorganisms require water for growth as they obtain almost all their nutrients in solution from the surrounding water. Some organisms adapt to the extreme high salt concentrations are called extreme halophiles, while some microorganisms require an optimum salt concentration for their growth, are called as obligate halophiles. Some microorganisms do not require salt for growth but are able to grow in salt concentrations upto 2%, (a concentration that inhibits the growth of many other organisms). These are called facultative halophiles.

Chemical Requirements

Carbon forms the skeleton or backbone of all organic molecules and hence, is the central component of the biological macromolecules as it. Hydrogen is also an important molecule that participates in energy generation processes in most microorganisms. Oxygen is of central importance to the respiration of many microorganisms while nitrogen is needed for the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids, as well as for important molecules such as ATP.

In addition to the need for carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, microorganisms also require sources of energy and electrons for growth to take place. They can be grouped into classes on the basis of their nutritional requirements.

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