Which type of microbes grow optimally between the temperature range of 20°C and 40°C?

Mesophiles are the type of microbes that thrive in moderate temperature ranges, typically between 20°C and 40°C. This group includes many of the organisms that play significant roles in human health, agriculture, and various environmental processes. The optimal growth temperature for mesophiles suits the environments they inhabit, such as soil, water, and the human body, where temperatures are commonly found within this range.

In contrast, thermophiles prefer much higher temperatures, usually above 45°C; extreme thermophiles thrive at even higher temperatures, often exceeding 80°C. Cryophiles, on the other hand, are adapted to cold environments, growing optimally below 20°C. Thus, the characteristics of mesophiles specifically align with growth conditions that favor moderate heat, making them the correct classification for organisms that thrive between 20°C and 40°C.