microbes, temperature ranges
Four categories of microbes are recognized according to the temperature range in which they can reproduce and grow:
| type of microbe | minimum | maximum |
| psychrophile | -10°C (14°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| mesophile | 10°C (50°F) | 50°C (122°F) |
| thermophile | 40°C (104°F) | 70°C (158°F) |
| hyperthermophile | 60°C (140°F) | 115°C (239°F) |
