microbial growth chracteristics

6 essential macronutrients

Carbon Hydrogen Oxygen Nitrogen Phosphorus Sulfur

grow when O2 is available

obligate aerobe

grow best when O2 is available, but can grow without it

faculative anaerobe

cannot grow when O2 is present

obligate anaerobe

grows only if small amounts of O2 are available

microaerophile

grow equally well with or without O2

aerotolerant anaerobe

superoxide dismutase

converts superoxide oxygen into hydrogen peroxide

catalase

converts hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen

cold loving

pychrophiles

moderate temperature loving

mesophiles

heat loving

thermophiles

acidic growth

acidophiles

neutral growth

neutrophiles

basic growth

alkaliphiles

1-5pH

acidophile

5.5-8pH

neutrophile

7.5-11

alkaliphile

osmosis

water flows to higher salt concentrations