Which statement about bacterial growth temperatures is true?

Which statement about bacterial growth temperatures is true?

• A. Bacteria grow best at temperatures below freezing
• B. Bacteria grow best at 40-140 degrees Fahrenheit
• C. Bacteria grow best above 212 degrees Fahrenheit
• D. Bacteria do not grow in a constant range

Answer: (B)

Temperature strongly influences how fast bacteria multiply because their enzymes and cellular systems work best within a moderate range. Many bacteria, including common foodborne types, grow most rapidly between about 40°F and 140°F (4°C to 60°C), a window often highlighted in food safety as the "danger zone." In colder temperatures, metabolic activity slows and growth can stop; near or above boiling, heat damages proteins and membranes, so bacteria are killed or unable to divide. Some organisms can survive extreme temperatures, but they don’t thrive there. So, the statement that bacteria grow best in 40-140°F captures the practical idea that this mid-range supports rapid growth, while the other options describe conditions that don’t favor growth.

Temperature strongly influences how fast bacteria multiply because their enzymes and cellular systems work best within a moderate range. Many bacteria, including common foodborne types, grow most rapidly between about 40°F and 140°F (4°C to 60°C), a window often highlighted in food safety as the "danger zone." In colder temperatures, metabolic activity slows and growth can stop; near or above boiling, heat damages proteins and membranes, so bacteria are killed or unable to divide. Some organisms can survive extreme temperatures, but they don’t thrive there. So, the statement that bacteria grow best in 40-140°F captures the practical idea that this mid-range supports rapid growth, while the other options describe conditions that don’t favor growth.