Question

Would you expect a xerophilic bacterium to also be halotolerant? Define both of these terms and justify your answer.

Answer 1

Yes, xerophllic bacteria can also be an halotolerant bacteria.

Xerophyllic bacteria are those organism which are capable of living in dry environment, that means they can survive in conditions with very less water.

Halotolerant bacteria are those which can live in absence or presence of relatively higher salt concentration.

In any environment, if their is more amount of salt ie, solute then the concentration of solvent is more, that means there is less amount of water present.

This give us an idea that an xerophllic bacteria which is capable of surviving in minimal water concentration can survive in conditions with high salt concentration, as there will be less water. Therefore, it makes clear that an xerophllic can also be an halotolerant.