Microbiology & Microbial Physiology Exam #2 (Ch. 6,7,8) : Microbial Growth
Phases (Lag, Log, Stationary, Death), Temperature Adaptations (Psychrophiles,
Psychrotrophs, Mesophiles, Thermophiles, Hyperthermophiles), pH Preferences
(Neutrophiles, Acidophiles, Alkaliphiles), Osmotic Adaptations & Plasmolysis,
Halophiles, Carbon & Nitrogen Metabolism (Heterotrophs, Autotrophs, Nitrogen
Fixation, Nitrogenase), Oxygen Requirements (Obligate Aerobe, Microaerophile,
Facultative Anaerobe, Obligate Anaerobe, Aerotolerant Anaerobe), Organic
Factor Uptake, Culture Media (Chemically Defined, Complex, Agar, Inoculum,
Culture, BSL Levels 1–4), Growth Measurement Methods (Plate Counts, Serial
Dilutions, Filtration, Direct Microscopic Count, Turbidity), Sterilization &
Disinfection Methods (Heat, Moist/Dry, Autoclaving, Pasteurization, Filtration,
Desiccation, Osmotic Pressure, Radiation: Ionizing, Non-Ionizing, Microwave),
Antimicrobial Agents (Bactericide, Bacteriostatic, Fungicide, Virucide, Antiseptic,
Disinfectant, Sanitizer, Phenols, Halogens, Alcohols, Heavy Metals, Surfactants,
Aldehydes, Peroxygens, Organic Acids, Sodium Nitrite, Antibiotics), Genetics &
Molecular Biology (Replication, Transcription, Translation, Genome,
Chromosome, Gene, DNA Gyrase, Helicase, Primase, DNA Polymerase I & III,
DNA Ligase, Start/Stop Codons, Mutations: Base Substitution, Missense,
Nonsense, Frameshift, Nucleoside Analogs, Spontaneous Mutations, Ionizing
Radiation) Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Microbial Growth
an increase in the number of cells, not cell size
,populations (in nature), colonies (petri dishes), turbidity (test tubes)
what are some ways to observe growth?
temperature, pH, osmotic pressure
what are some physical requirements for microbial growth?
Psychrophile
requires cold temperatures for growth; 13* C
Psychrotroph
Grows best at moderate temperatures but can tolerate cold temperatures to 0°C
Mesophile
organism adapted to moderate temperatures; 37* C
Thermophile
requires hot temperatures for growth; 63* C
, Hyperthermophile
extreme heat-adapted organism; 94* C
Neutrophile
organism that grows best between pH 6 and 8; most bacteria are in this category (molds and
yeasts)
Acidophile
organism that grows in acidic environments (below pH 6)
Alkaliphile
organism that grows in alkaline environments (above pH 8)
plasmolysis
Cells shrink due to the removal of water from the cytoplasm
halophiles
adapted to high osmotic pressure (i.e., high-salinity environments, such as the Great Salt Lake
and the Dead Sea) and resist plasmolysis under such conditions
heterotrophs
Phases (Lag, Log, Stationary, Death), Temperature Adaptations (Psychrophiles,
Psychrotrophs, Mesophiles, Thermophiles, Hyperthermophiles), pH Preferences
(Neutrophiles, Acidophiles, Alkaliphiles), Osmotic Adaptations & Plasmolysis,
Halophiles, Carbon & Nitrogen Metabolism (Heterotrophs, Autotrophs, Nitrogen
Fixation, Nitrogenase), Oxygen Requirements (Obligate Aerobe, Microaerophile,
Facultative Anaerobe, Obligate Anaerobe, Aerotolerant Anaerobe), Organic
Factor Uptake, Culture Media (Chemically Defined, Complex, Agar, Inoculum,
Culture, BSL Levels 1–4), Growth Measurement Methods (Plate Counts, Serial
Dilutions, Filtration, Direct Microscopic Count, Turbidity), Sterilization &
Disinfection Methods (Heat, Moist/Dry, Autoclaving, Pasteurization, Filtration,
Desiccation, Osmotic Pressure, Radiation: Ionizing, Non-Ionizing, Microwave),
Antimicrobial Agents (Bactericide, Bacteriostatic, Fungicide, Virucide, Antiseptic,
Disinfectant, Sanitizer, Phenols, Halogens, Alcohols, Heavy Metals, Surfactants,
Aldehydes, Peroxygens, Organic Acids, Sodium Nitrite, Antibiotics), Genetics &
Molecular Biology (Replication, Transcription, Translation, Genome,
Chromosome, Gene, DNA Gyrase, Helicase, Primase, DNA Polymerase I & III,
DNA Ligase, Start/Stop Codons, Mutations: Base Substitution, Missense,
Nonsense, Frameshift, Nucleoside Analogs, Spontaneous Mutations, Ionizing
Radiation) Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Microbial Growth
an increase in the number of cells, not cell size
,populations (in nature), colonies (petri dishes), turbidity (test tubes)
what are some ways to observe growth?
temperature, pH, osmotic pressure
what are some physical requirements for microbial growth?
Psychrophile
requires cold temperatures for growth; 13* C
Psychrotroph
Grows best at moderate temperatures but can tolerate cold temperatures to 0°C
Mesophile
organism adapted to moderate temperatures; 37* C
Thermophile
requires hot temperatures for growth; 63* C
, Hyperthermophile
extreme heat-adapted organism; 94* C
Neutrophile
organism that grows best between pH 6 and 8; most bacteria are in this category (molds and
yeasts)
Acidophile
organism that grows in acidic environments (below pH 6)
Alkaliphile
organism that grows in alkaline environments (above pH 8)
plasmolysis
Cells shrink due to the removal of water from the cytoplasm
halophiles
adapted to high osmotic pressure (i.e., high-salinity environments, such as the Great Salt Lake
and the Dead Sea) and resist plasmolysis under such conditions
heterotrophs
