A microbe is discovered growing near a deep sea thermal vent.When researchers bring a sample up to the surface and try to grow it in a lab at room temperature in a normal incubator,they are unsuccessful.Why?
A)The pressure isn't the same at sea level as it is on the ocean floor.
B)Oxygen concentrations are very different between the two environments-it's possible the microbe is a strict anaerobe and is poisoned by the air (oxygen)in the lab.
C)Salt concentrations might be different in the media the researchers are attempting to use and the salt water the microbe is used to living in.This might be causing osmotic pressure differences that the microbe can't tolerate.
D)The temperature is probably different-the thermal vent would be very hot,while these researchers are trying to grow this microbe at room temperature.The enzymes in the cells are probably outside of their normal operating range at room temperature,and therefore nonfunctional.
E)All of the above.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

All of the above factors could contribute to the inability to grow the microbe in a lab at room temperature. The different pressure, oxygen concentrations, salt concentrations, and temperature can all have significant impacts on the microbe's ability to survive and reproduce.

A Microbe Is Discovered Growing near a Deep Sea Thermal