You are a microbiologist attempting to devise a medium that

You are a microbiologist attempting to devise a medium that will support the growth of a newly discovered bacterium called Lisenbeeomonas slappatmatis. You are told that this new bacterium can be described best as an acidophilic, photoautotrophic thermophile. Describe a) the minimum nutritional components that would need to be present in the medium for the organism to grow, and b) the minimum environmental conditions that would be needed for growth.

Solution

Bacterium is acidophilic, photoautotrophic thermophile. pH in the medium should be below 3 (>3). Strong acidity favours the growth of the acidophilic bacteria. As these bacteria which have been discovered are thermophilic this shows that these bacteria can sustain high temperatures. The bacteria can grow in a medium with pH 0 to 5 with a temperature which ranges from 450C up to 800C. The bacteria have been photoautotrophic shows that these bacteria possess pigments for photosynthesis. These bacteria use up the light source for photosynthesis. Mostly the acidophilic photosynthetic thermophilic bacteria have been found at thermal vents, deep oceans.