At what pH range do acidophiles thrive?

Acidophiles are organisms that thrive in acidic environments, typically with a pH range below 6. Specifically, they are most commonly found in habitats with a pH between 0 and 5.5. This range includes extreme acid conditions, such as those found in some mine runoff, hot springs, and other natural acidic environments.

The ability of acidophiles to survive and grow in such low pH levels is due to their unique cellular adaptations, which allow them to maintain acid-base homeostasis and protect their cellular components from the damaging effects of high acidity. These adaptations can include specialized protein functions, membrane structures, and metabolic pathways that are optimized for low pH conditions. This is why the first option, indicating a pH range of 0 to 5.5, correctly represents the optimal conditions for these organisms.