What type of organisms is known to prefer cold environments?

Psychrophiles are organisms that thrive in cold environments, typically preferring temperatures below 15°C (59°F). They can be found in places such as polar regions, deep ocean waters, and other cold ecosystems. Their enzymatic and metabolic processes have adapted to function optimally at these low temperatures, allowing them to grow and reproduce effectively where most other organisms would struggle to survive.

In contrast, mesophiles are organisms that prefer moderate temperatures, usually between 20°C and 45°C (68°F to 113°F), which is the typical range for many human pathogens and normal flora. Thermophiles thrive at higher temperatures, often between 45°C and 80°C (113°F to 176°F), and are commonly found in hot springs and compost heaps. Hyperthermophiles are extreme thermophiles that prefer even hotter environments, typically above 80°C (176°F), often found in hydrothermal vents.

Thus, psychrophiles distinctly represent the category of organisms that favor cold conditions, making them the correct answer to the question.