mesophile

1 9.1

A living thing that grows best at moderate temperatures around 20 to 45°C

noun
/ˈmɛzoʊfaɪl/

Specialized

: mesófilo

The laboratory focuses on researching mesophiles, microorganisms that prefer moderate temperatures for optimal growth.

Examples

Scientists generally consider high pressure a denaturant of proteins in mesophiles, microbes that live in a middle-of-the-road manner, tolerating temperatures below 70 degrees Celsius and a pressure of 1 atm.

Academic text (1994)
Mesophiles thrive in environments where the temperature ranges from 20°C to 45°C.
Bartlett, who is studying the pressure adaptations of mesophilic and barophilic organisms, has found that when the mesophile Escherichia coli experiences a sharp pressure increase to 546 atm, its cell division and protein synthesis are upset.

Academic text (1994)
In composting, mesophiles play a crucial role by breaking down organic material at moderate temperatures.

How Warm

thermophile

Specialized

1 8.9

mesophile

Specialized

1 9.1

Surface Forms

mesophile singular

mesophiles plural

Morphology

mesophile = meso + phile

Although the word is formed from classical elements meaning 'middle' and 'lover of', the technical sense 'organism that grows best at moderate temperatures' is not readily inferable for an average learner.

Etymology

The word mesophile comes from Greek parts meso- meaning 'middle' and -phile meaning 'lover', like in bibliophile ('book lover'). So a mesophile 'loves' the middle and grows best at moderate temperatures, not too hot or too cold.