Which term is used for heat-loving microbes that thrive at temperatures between 45°C and 80°C?

The appropriate term for heat-loving microbes that thrive at temperatures between 45°C and 80°C is thermophiles. These organisms are specifically adapted to survive and grow in high-temperature environments, such as hot springs and compost heaps. Thermophiles have unique enzymatic systems and cellular structures that maintain stability and function at elevated temperatures, which is crucial for their survival in thermal conditions.

In contrast, mesophiles typically prefer moderate temperature ranges, usually between 20°C and 45°C, and are not equipped to handle the extreme heat that thermophiles endure. Extreme thermophiles, a subset of thermophiles, thrive at even higher temperatures, generally above 80°C, but the term does not encompass the broader range that thermophiles cover. Psychrophiles are cold-loving organisms that thrive in extremely low temperatures, typically below 15°C, which does not align with the heat-loving characteristics being described. Thus, thermophiles is the most precise term for microbes thriving in the specified temperature range.