What temperature range do psychrophiles typically grow in?

Psychrophiles are microorganisms that thrive in cold environments, specifically in temperature ranges typically at or below 0°C and up to around 20°C. The first choice accurately reflects this growth range by encompassing temperatures from -10°C to 20°C, making it suitable for psychrophilic organisms, which are found in habitats such as polar regions, deep oceans, and glaciers.

The other ranges are not characteristic of psychrophiles. For example, the range of 0°C to 25°C, while it includes some temperatures that psychrophiles can tolerate, also extends beyond the optimal conditions for these organisms, which favor even colder environments. Similarly, the 10°C to 30°C and 15°C to 40°C choices represent much warmer conditions that are more typical of mesophiles or thermophiles, organisms that prefer warmer temperatures. This specificity to cold environments is what uniquely defines psychrophiles, reinforcing why the first answer is the most accurate representation of their growth temperature range.