Final answer:
Tofu, sliced watermelon, and fried beans are particularly prone to bacterial growth due to their high moisture content and nutrient levels, while acidic environments like vinegar in salad dressing inhibit microbial growth.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three foods that can support bacterial growth better than other types of food are a) tofu, d) sliced watermelon, and b) fried beans. These foods are known to be potential breeding grounds for bacteria due to their high moisture content and nutrient density. Tofu and beans provide a protein-rich environment which bacteria can utilize to grow, while sliced watermelon, with its high water content and near-neutral pH, can also support the growth of many bacteria. Salad dressing with vinegar additive (c) is less likely to support bacterial growth due to the acidic environment vinegar creates, which inhibits the growth of many microorganisms.
Specifically, most bacteria, with few exceptions, require high moisture to grow. Since tofu, beans, and watermelon have substantial water content, they are particularly prone to bacterial proliferation. On the other hand, foods with high acidity like vinegar-based salad dressing are less favorable for bacterial growth because most microbes that cause food spoilage grow best at a near neutral pH and do not tolerate acidity well.