9.4 Temperature and Microbial Growth
3 min read•june 18, 2024
Temperature plays a crucial role in microbial growth. From icy Antarctic waters to scorching hot springs, microbes have adapted to thrive in diverse thermal environments. Understanding how temperature affects microbial growth is key to controlling pathogens and harnessing beneficial microbes.
Microbes are classified based on their temperature preferences. love the cold, prefer room temp, while and flourish in extreme heat. Each group has unique adaptations to survive and grow in their preferred temperature range.
Temperature and Microbial Growth
Temperature effects on microbial growth
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- Lowest temperature microorganism can grow and reproduce
- Below this temperature growth ceases due to reduced enzyme activity and decreased membrane fluidity (enzymes less active, membrane less fluid)
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- Temperature range microorganism exhibits highest growth rate
- Enzymes function most efficiently and cellular processes at their peak (rapid growth, efficient metabolism)
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- Highest temperature microorganism can grow and reproduce
- Above this temperature growth stops due to enzyme denaturation and membrane instability (proteins unfold, membrane breaks down)
- Temperature effects on growth rate
- As temperature increases from minimum, growth rate increases until reaching optimum range (faster metabolism, more cell division)
- Beyond optimum range, growth rate declines as temperature approaches maximum (enzymes less efficient, cellular damage)
- Microorganisms evolved to thrive within specific temperature ranges with adaptations to maintain cellular functions (cold-adapted enzymes in psychrophiles, heat-stable enzymes in )
- Some microbes exhibit to maintain optimal internal temperature
Classification by temperature preference
- Psychrophiles
- Grow best at low temperatures, typically between -20℃ and 10℃
- Minimum temperature: < 0℃, Optimum temperature: 10-15℃, Maximum temperature: 20℃
- Adaptations include cold-adapted enzymes, increased membrane fluidity, and antifreeze proteins (maintain enzyme function, prevent ice crystal formation)
- helps psychrophiles adapt to sudden temperature drops
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- Grow best at cool temperatures, typically between 4℃ and 25℃
- Minimum temperature: 0-5℃, Optimum temperature: 20-30℃, Maximum temperature: 35℃
- Capable of growing at refrigeration temperatures causing food spoilage (dairy products, meats)
- Mesophiles
- Grow best at moderate temperatures, typically between 20℃ and 45℃
- Minimum temperature: 10-20℃, Optimum temperature: 30-40℃, Maximum temperature: 45-50℃
- Most common type of microorganism including many pathogens and human microbiota (E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus)
- Thermophiles
- Grow best at high temperatures, typically between 45℃ and 80℃
- Minimum temperature: 40-45℃, Optimum temperature: 55-65℃, Maximum temperature: 70-80℃
- Adaptations include heat-stable enzymes, protective heat shock proteins, and unique membrane lipids (maintain enzyme function, prevent protein denaturation)
- helps thermophiles survive sudden temperature increases
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- Grow best at very high temperatures, typically above 80℃
- Minimum temperature: 65-80℃, Optimum temperature: 85-100℃, Maximum temperature: > 100℃
- Found in extreme environments such as hydrothermal vents and hot springs (deep-sea vents, Yellowstone)
Examples of temperature-adapted microbes
- Psychrophiles
- , bacterium isolated from Antarctic sea ice
- , yeast found in Antarctic soil
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- Listeria monocytogenes, foodborne pathogen that can grow at refrigeration temperatures
- , bacterium responsible for spoilage of refrigerated dairy products (milk, cheese)
- Mesophiles
- Escherichia coli, common inhabitant of human gut and potential pathogen
- Saccharomyces cerevisiae, yeast used in baking and brewing industries (bread, beer)
- Thermophiles
- , bacterium isolated from hot springs, source of Taq polymerase for PCR
- stearothermophilus, bacterium used as biological indicator in sterilization processes (autoclaves, food canning)
- Hyperthermophiles
- , archaeon that grows optimally at 106℃, isolated from hydrothermal vent
- , archaeon that can grow at 121℃ under high pressure, discovered in deep-sea hydrothermal vent
Temperature-related microbial control methods
- : The lowest temperature at which all microorganisms in a liquid suspension are killed in 10 minutes
- : The time required to kill all microorganisms in a liquid suspension at a specific temperature
- : Used in laboratory settings to study microbial growth across a range of temperatures
- : Technique for long-term storage of microorganisms at very low temperatures, often in liquid nitrogen
Key Terms to Review (39)
Algal blooms: Algal blooms are rapid increases in the population of algae in aquatic systems, often resulting in discoloration of the water. These blooms can be influenced by various environmental factors, including temperature.
Cardinal Temperatures: Cardinal temperatures refer to the specific temperature ranges that define the optimal growth conditions for microorganisms. These temperatures are crucial in understanding how environmental factors influence microbial growth and survival.
Cold Shock Response: The cold shock response is a cellular adaptation mechanism that allows microorganisms to survive and thrive in environments with sudden or prolonged exposure to low temperatures. It involves a series of physiological and molecular changes that help the cells maintain their structure, function, and metabolic processes under cold stress conditions.
Cryopreservation: Cryopreservation is the process of preserving living cells, tissues, or organisms by cooling them to sub-zero temperatures, typically using liquid nitrogen. This technique allows for the long-term storage and conservation of biological samples while maintaining their viability and structural integrity.
Cryptococcus vishniacii: Cryptococcus vishniacii is a species of yeast-like fungus that is known for its ability to thrive in extreme environmental conditions, particularly in relation to temperature. As a member of the Cryptococcus genus, it is a significant opportunistic pathogen that can cause serious infections in immunocompromised individuals.
Dead zone: A dead zone is an area in a microbial culture where no cells are actively growing. This often occurs due to unfavorable environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures.
Geobacillus: Geobacillus is a genus of Gram-positive, thermophilic bacteria commonly found in soil and hot environments. These bacteria can grow at high temperatures, making them important for studying microbial adaptations to heat.
Heat Shock Response: The heat shock response is a universal cellular defense mechanism triggered by exposure to elevated temperatures or other forms of stress. It involves the rapid induction of a specific set of genes encoding heat shock proteins, which act as molecular chaperones to protect and repair cellular proteins, ensuring the proper folding and function of essential biomolecules.
Hyperthermophiles: Hyperthermophiles are microorganisms that thrive in extremely high temperatures, typically above 80°C (176°F). They are often found in environments such as hot springs and hydrothermal vents.
Hyperthermophiles: Hyperthermophiles are a group of microorganisms that thrive in extremely hot environments, typically at temperatures above 80°C (176°F). These organisms possess unique adaptations that allow them to survive and grow in such extreme conditions, making them a fascinating subject of study in the fields of microbiology, extremophile biology, and evolutionary biology.
Hyperthermophiles are found in various environments, including deep-sea hydrothermal vents, hot springs, and geothermal areas, and they play a crucial role in the understanding of the origins of life and the limits of life on Earth. Their study is particularly relevant to the topics of 3.3 Unique Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cells, 4.5 Deeply Branching Bacteria, 4.6 Archaea, and 9.4 Temperature and Microbial Growth.
Karenia brevis: Karenia brevis is a marine dinoflagellate known for causing harmful algal blooms, commonly referred to as red tides. It produces toxins that can be detrimental to marine life and human health.
Listeriosis: Listeriosis is an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, primarily affecting the nervous system and often transmitted through contaminated food. It can lead to severe illness, particularly in pregnant women, newborns, elderly adults, and immunocompromised individuals.
Maximum growth temperature: Maximum growth temperature is the highest temperature at which a particular microorganism can grow and reproduce. Beyond this temperature, the organism's enzymes and cellular structures become damaged or denatured.
Maximum Temperature: Maximum temperature refers to the highest temperature that an organism can tolerate and still maintain its vital functions. This term is crucial in understanding the growth and survival of microorganisms, as temperature is a key environmental factor that influences their ability to thrive.
Mesophile: A mesophile is a microorganism that thrives at moderate temperatures, typically between 20°C and 45°C. They are commonly found in soil, water, and the human body.
Mesophiles: Mesophiles are a group of microorganisms that thrive best in moderate temperature ranges, typically between 20°C and 45°C (68°F and 113°F). These organisms are well-suited for growth and survival in environments with temperate climates, as they are adapted to utilize the energy and nutrients available within this temperature range.
Microcystins: Microcystins are a group of toxins produced by certain freshwater cyanobacteria. They can be harmful to aquatic life and humans, especially when they contaminate drinking water supplies.
Minimum growth temperature: The minimum growth temperature is the lowest temperature at which a particular microorganism can grow and reproduce. It is a critical factor in determining the environmental conditions suitable for microbial life.
Minimum Temperature: Minimum temperature refers to the lowest temperature at which a microorganism can grow and survive. This is a critical parameter in the context of microbial growth, as it defines the environmental conditions necessary for different species to thrive.
Optimum growth temperature: Optimum growth temperature is the temperature at which a microorganism exhibits its highest growth rate. It is specific to each microbial species and crucial for their survival and reproduction.
Optimum Temperature: Optimum temperature refers to the ideal or most favorable temperature range for a specific biological process or the growth and activity of a particular organism. This term is crucial in understanding microbial growth patterns and their response to environmental conditions.
Polaromonas vacuolata: Polaromonas vacuolata is a species of bacteria that is known for its ability to thrive in cold environments. It is a psychrophilic, or cold-loving, bacterium that has adapted to survive and grow at low temperatures.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR): Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a technique used to amplify specific DNA sequences, making millions of copies from a small initial sample. It relies on thermal cycling, which involves repeated heating and cooling cycles to denature DNA, anneal primers, and extend new DNA strands.
Pseudomonas fluorescens: Pseudomonas fluorescens is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium commonly found in soil, water, and on plant surfaces. It is known for its ability to thrive in a wide range of environmental conditions and its versatile metabolic capabilities.
Psychrophile: Psychrophiles are microorganisms that thrive at very low temperatures, typically between -20°C and 10°C. They are commonly found in polar regions, deep oceans, and high-altitude environments.
Psychrophiles: Psychrophiles are a group of microorganisms that thrive in cold environments, typically at temperatures below 20°C (68°F). They have adapted to efficiently carry out their metabolic processes and growth under these chilly conditions.
Psychrotrophs: Psychrotrophs are microorganisms that can grow at low temperatures, typically between 0°C and 30°C. They are often found in refrigerated foods and can cause spoilage.
Psychrotrophs: Psychrotrophs, also known as psychrophiles, are microorganisms that are capable of growth and reproduction at low temperatures, typically below 20°C (68°F). These organisms have adapted to thrive in cold environments and play a crucial role in various microbial processes related to temperature and microbial growth.
Pyrobolus: Pyrobolus is a genus of hyperthermophilic archaea that thrive in extremely high-temperature environments, such as hydrothermal vents. These microorganisms are known for their ability to grow at temperatures exceeding 100°C.
Pyrodictium: Pyrodictium is a genus of hyperthermophilic archaea that thrive in extremely high-temperature environments, such as hydrothermal vents. These microorganisms are known for their unique cell structure and remarkable heat resistance.
Pyrolobus fumarii: Pyrolobus fumarii is a species of archaea that is considered one of the most heat-tolerant organisms known to exist. It is an extremophile that thrives in high-temperature environments, making it a key subject of study in the context of microbial growth and adaptation to extreme conditions.
Strain 121: Strain 121 is a specific microbial strain that is highly relevant in the context of temperature and microbial growth. This strain is known for its unique characteristics and behavior in response to various temperature conditions, making it an important consideration when studying the relationship between temperature and the growth patterns of microorganisms.
Temperature Gradient: A temperature gradient refers to the difference in temperature between two points or locations within a system. It is a measure of how the temperature varies across a given distance or space, often driven by the transfer of thermal energy.
Thermal Death Point: The thermal death point (TDP) is the minimum temperature required to kill a specific microorganism in a given time period. It is an important concept in understanding the impact of temperature on microbial growth and survival, which is a key topic in the study of 9.4 Temperature and Microbial Growth.
Thermal Death Time: Thermal death time (TDT) is a measure of the heat resistance of microorganisms. It refers to the minimum time required to kill a specific number of microorganisms at a given temperature. TDT is a crucial concept in understanding the effects of temperature on microbial growth and the use of physical methods to control microorganisms.
Thermophiles: Thermophiles are microorganisms that thrive at relatively high temperatures, typically between 45 and 80 degrees Celsius. They are often found in environments such as hot springs, hydrothermal vents, and compost heaps.
Thermophiles: Thermophiles are a group of microorganisms that thrive in high-temperature environments, typically between 45°C and 122°C (113°F and 252°F). These extremophiles have evolved unique adaptations to survive and function in such hot conditions.
Thermoregulation: Thermoregulation is the process by which an organism maintains its body temperature within a narrow range, despite fluctuations in the surrounding environment. It is a critical physiological function that ensures the proper functioning of cellular and metabolic processes.
Thermus aquaticus: Thermus aquaticus is a thermophilic bacterium that thrives at high temperatures, typically found in hot springs. It is widely known for its enzyme Taq polymerase, which is essential for the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique.