In: Biology
How do oxygen, temperature, pH, and water determine where you might find a specific species of bacteria
How do oxygen, temperature, pH, and water determine where you might find a specific species of bacteria
Ans.Bacteria grow in very diverse conditions,which explains why the are found nearly everywhere on earth.although bacteria are good at adapting to their environments,these conditions include temperature,moisture,pH,and oxygen.understing the optimal conditions for bacteria growth can potentially help you reduce your risk for bacteria infections and food poisoning.
OXYGEN:-The presence of oxygen can greatly affect growth of bacteria.many types of disease-causing bacteria grow best in an oxygen-rich environment or require oxygen grow.this is why many commerical foods are vacuum-sealed.vacuum sealing also known as reduced oxygen oackaging inhibits the growth of many types of bacteria and fungi that cause food spoilage.
TEMPERATURE:-Most disease causing bacteria thrive in warm temperatures,espicially those close to body temperature.the human body therefore, provides an ideal environment for many types of bacteria to grow.certain strauns of bacteria ,however,can grow at lower or higher temperature.in most cases but not all refrigerating or frezzing food is sufficient to suppress the growth disease causing bacteria such as staphylococcus.temperature is also imporatant to kill harmful bacteria that may be present in the food,such as salmonella and E.coli.
pH:-The pH of an environment a measure of its acidity or alkalinity is important for bacteria growth .most strains of disease causing bacteria perfer to grow in conditions with a near neutral pH,similar to th pH of the human body.some strains of bacteria however can live in more acidic or more alkaline condition.cleaning solutions are typically highiy acidic or basic, which kills bacteria,beacause they cannot survive at these ettremes of pH.
MOISTURE:-Bacteria need water to grow and die without a water source.moist areas are particularly prone to bacteria growth,such as bathrooms and kitchens.water content in food also provides an excellent environment for many types of bacteria to grow.certain food can be dehydrate or freeze-dride,which removes most of the water and can allow for longer storage without bacteria growth.most tissues in the body ,such as the mouth and nose,provide an excellent sourse of moisture for bacteria and are particularly prone to bacteria growth.