openstax microbiology test bank Related

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Which of the following bacteria is capable of surviving in extreme heat?

  • A. Escherichia coli
  • B. Bacillus subtilis
  • C. Staphylococcus aureus
  • D. Clostridium botulinum
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Bacillus subtilis. Bacillus subtilis is a thermophilic bacterium capable of surviving in extreme heat due to its heat-resistant spores. It forms spores when exposed to unfavorable conditions, allowing it to withstand high temperatures. Escherichia coli (A), Staphylococcus aureus (C), and Clostridium botulinum (D) are mesophilic bacteria that do not have the same heat resistance mechanisms as Bacillus subtilis, making them unable to survive in extreme heat conditions.