Which term refers to nonpathogenic bacteria that live on dead matter?

• A. Saprophytes
• B. Pathogenic Bacteria
• C. Microbe
• D. Cocci

Answer: (A)

Saprophytes are organisms that obtain nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter. They play a key role in decomposition by breaking down dead material, and they are typically nonpathogenic, meaning they don’t cause disease in living hosts. In the context of salon sanitation and ecology, this term correctly describes microbes that inhabit and feed on dead matter rather than invading living tissue.

The other options don’t fit this specific ecological role: pathogenic bacteria cause disease, which contradicts “nonpathogenic.” A microbe is any microorganism and doesn’t specify the relationship to dead matter or pathogenicity. Cocci refers to a spherical shape of bacteria, not to their habitat or role.