What is the typical pH range for staphylococcus bacteria?

Staphylococcus bacteria are known for their ability to thrive in a variety of environments, including those that are moderately acidic to moderately alkaline. The pH range of 4.0 to 9.8 represents a broad spectrum in which these bacteria can survive and even flourish. This range indicates that they are adaptable organisms capable of living in less than ideal conditions, which is part of their resilience and potential pathogenicity.

The ability of Staphylococcus to function well in this pH range is critical for their survival, especially in diverse environments like skin and mucous membranes where these bacteria are often found. Such adaptability helps explain why Staphylococcus infections can occur in various anatomical sites, as their growth can be supported in slightly acidic to alkaline conditions that may exist on human surfaces and within various body systems.

The other options provided do not accurately capture the range in which Staphylococcus thrives as effectively as 4.0 to 9.8, thus making this choice the most representative of their ecological niche.