Final answer:
Bacterial reproduction is slowed below 4°C, a temperature that inhibits microbial metabolism and growth, effectively used in refrigeration for food and medical supply preservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
Below certain temperatures, specifically lower than 4°C, the rate of bacterial reproduction is significantly slowed. This is due to a decrease in microbial metabolism, which is impeded by the cold environment. In practical settings such as laboratories and kitchens, refrigerators maintain temperatures between 0°C and 7°C to slow down the growth of microorganisms. Microbial growth is at its maximum between approximately 4°C and 60°C, but when temperatures fall below this range, bacteria, which are often mesophilic, reproduce less rapidly. Mesophilic bacteria prefer temperatures between 20-40°C, with many thriving at human body temperature (37°C) or at room temperature (approximately 25°C). Refrigeration is a method of microbial control by reducing enzyme activity within the bacteria, preserving food or medical supplies.