Disease bacteria are sensitive to the pH of water. They live best in which range?

The optimal pH range for most disease-causing bacteria is typically between 6.5 and 7.5. This range is considered neutral to slightly alkaline, which aligns with the conditions found in the human body and many natural environments where bacteria thrive.

In this pH range, bacterial enzymes and metabolic processes function efficiently, allowing bacteria to grow and reproduce effectively. Many pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella, prefer near-neutral conditions, which is why this specific pH range is ideal.

In contrast, more extreme pH levels, whether too acidic or too alkaline, can inhibit bacterial growth or even kill them by disrupting cellular functions and damaging cellular structures. Therefore, the choice indicating a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is correct since it reflects the conditions that support the proliferation of disease bacteria.