Final answer:
E. aerogenes, being a mesophilic organism, grows best at a temperature of 37°C, which is the optimal temperature to incubate these types of bacteria in the lab.
Step-by-step explanation:
Optimal Growth Temperature of E. aerogenes
Enterobacter aerogenes, like many other bacteria that we encounter in laboratory settings, are classified as mesophilic organisms. These bacteria thrive at moderate temperatures ranging from 20°C to about 45°C. While mesophiles are diverse, many, including pathogenic strains found in the human body like E. coli and Lactobacillus spp., grow best at 37°C, aligning with the normal human body temperature. In essence, these organisms have adapted to conditions that are neither too hot nor too cold, similar to the comfortable living conditions of humans.
When cultivating E. aerogenes in the lab, researchers often set incubators at 37°C to mimic the conditions of the human body, which is where these bacteria can frequently be found. This temperature optimizes their growth and reproduction rate, making it a standard practice for laboratory studies involving mesophilic bacteria.