| Fungi | Viruses | Bacteria |
| What are mesophiles? | |||
| Most of the microorganisms on earth belong to the group of mesophiles. Mesophiles grow best in temperatures between 10 to 50°C (50 to 122°F). They are found in soil and water environments. Most of the diseases, caused by bacteria and viruses, that affect humans come from the mesophile group. Some of the most dangerous mesophiles are Staphyloccus aureus, Salmonella sp., Proteus vulgaris, and Yersinia enterocoiytica. | |||
| How are mesophiles identified? | |||
| Mesophiles are identified by several characteristics. Where they live is one way because of the temperature that they need to grow in. Another way is that they can spoil food and dead animal matter quickly spoiling it. | |||
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| Bacteria Salmonella typhimurium |
E-coli
bacteria |
E-coli bacteria Sexual Reproduction (male and female) |
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| How do mesophiles reproduce? | |||
| If the temperature is just right, mesophiles can double their population in just 30 minutes. Mesophiles reproduce through mitosis, cell division, or by sexual reproduction with a male or female bacteria. | |||
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| What do mesophiles do? | |||
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Mesophiles are one of the microorganisms that can cause food to spoil quickly. They are also important to the process of composting organic matter. In a compost pile the microorganisms that make the matter break down take turns working. When new compost material is added to the pile, the temperature is cool enough for mesophiles to work, so they take charge. When the matter is broken down the pile becomes too hot for the mesophiles, then the thermophiles take over. Yersinia enterocoiytica is the mesphile that contaminates blood stored in bags for patients that need transfusions. E-coli bacteria are mesophiles that cause vicitims to bleed or hemorrhage. E-coli can cause death in humans. |
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Photographic Citations: Text Citations: The Microbial World: Astrobiology A-Z: Food Safety Inspection Service: Compost Microbiology and the Soil Food Web: |
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