Buffers neutralize acids and maintain the proper pH.

Microorganisms vary in their pH tolerance ranges (FIG. 10-17). The pH is equal to log [H⁺] or 1/log [H⁺]. A neutral solution has a pH of 7.0; acidic solu­tions have pH values less than 7; and alkaline or ba­sic solutions have pH values greater than 7. Most mi­cro-organisms grow best at near neutral pH. These microorganisms are called neutralophiles or neu-trophiles. Fungi generally exhibit a wider pH range, growing well over a pH range of 5 to 9, compared to most bacteria, which grow well over a pH range of 6 to 9 (Table 10-4).

Although most bacteria are unable to grow at low pH, there are some exceptional cases. Some bacteria tolerate pH values as low as 0.8. There are even some bacteria, called acidophiles, that are restricted to growth at low pH values. Some members of the genus Thiobacillus are acidophilic and grow only at pH values near 2; they can grow in sulfuric acid.

Alkalophiles are microorganisms that prefer to grow at high pH values. These microorganisms are found in alkaline environments that are high in sodium such as salt lakes and soils rich in sodium carbonate. The alkalophile Bacillus alkalophilus grows best at pH 10.5.

Pressure

The solute concentration of a solution affects the os­motic pressure that is exerted across the plasma membrane. The cell walls of bacteria make them rel­atively resistant to changes in osmotic pressure, but

extreme osmotic pressures can result in the death of bacterial cells. In hypertonic solutions, bacterial cells may shrink and become desiccated; in hypotonic so­lutions, the cell may burst (FIG. 10-18). Bacteria that can grow in solutions with high solute concentra­tions are called osmotolerant. These bacteria can withstand high osmotic pressures. Some fungi, such as Xeromyces, are actually osmophilic.

Hydrostatic pressure is another type of pressure that can influence bacterial growth rates. Hydrostatic pressure refers to the pressure exerted by a water column as a result of the weight of the water column. Each 10 meters of water depth is equivalent to ap­proximately 1 atmosphere pressure. Most bacteria are relatively tolerant to the hydrostatic pressures in most natural systems but cannot tolerate the ex­tremely high hydrostatic pressures that characterize deep ocean regions. High hydrostatic pressures of greater than 200 atmospheres generally inactivate en­zymes and disrupt membrane transport processes. However, some bacteria — referred to as barotolerant —can grow at high hydrostatic pressures, and there even appear to be some bacteria — referred to as barophiles —that grow best at high hydrostatic pres­sures.

Light Radiation

Photosynthetic microorganisms require light in the visible spectrum to carry out photosynthesis. The rate of photosynthesis is a function of light intensity. At some light intensities, rates of photosynthesis

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