Lecture 5

Question 1

What is binary fission?

Answer 1

Binary fission is the process of cell division in bacteria. Cells elongate, form a partition (septum), and then separate into two identical daughter cells.

Question 2

What are the phases of bacterial growth in batch culture?

Answer 2

There are four phases of growth in batch culture: lag phase, exponential phase, stationary phase, and death phase.

Question 3

What is the lag phase of bacterial growth?

Answer 3

The lag phase occurs when microbes are first introduced to a new environment. Cells adjust to the new conditions and do not immediately grow. The duration of the lag phase can be affected by nutrient availability and the age of the cells.

Question 4

What is the exponential phase of bacterial growth?

Answer 4

The exponential phase is a period of rapid growth where the population doubles at regular intervals. Cells are metabolically similar during this phase. The growth rate is dependent on the environment, media, and the organism itself.

Question 5

What is the stationary phase of bacterial growth?

Answer 5

The stationary phase occurs when resources become limited, leading to no net increase in cell number. The growth rate is 0. Cellular metabolism shifts to support survival and maintenance.