Final answer:
FATTOM refers to the six factors that influence bacterial growth: Food, Acid, Time, Temperature, Oxygen, and Moisture. The right combination of these factors determines the potential for bacteria to grow and proliferate.
Step-by-step explanation:
With regard to bacterial growth, the acronym FATTOM refers to the six factors that influence the growth of bacteria: Food, Acid, Time, Temperature, Oxygen, and Moisture. This means that the correct option is d) Food, acid, time, temperature, oxygen, moisture. Each of these factors plays a critical role in determining whether a bacterial environment is conducive to growth. For instance:
- Food: Nutrients are necessary for bacterial growth.
- Acid: Bacteria often require a certain pH level to thrive.
- Time: Bacteria need time to multiply.
- Temperature: Bacteria have optimal temperature ranges for growth.
- Oxygen: Some bacteria need oxygen to grow (aerobes), while others do not (anaerobes).
- Moisture: Water is essential for bacterial growth.
Understanding these factors is vital for controlling and predicting bacterial growth in various environments, whether in food safety or infection control.