Microbial growth and temperature conditions are summarized. There are five main groups of microbes based on optimal temperature: psychrophiles, psychrotrophs, mesophiles, thermophiles, and hyperthermophiles. Bacteria primarily reproduce through binary fission, though some species bud. The bacterial growth curve consists of four phases: lag phase, exponential/log phase, stationary phase, and death phase. A variety of physical and chemical methods are used to control microbial growth, including heat, radiation, filtration, chemicals, and food preservatives.