Bacteria are unicellular micro organisms that lack chlorophyll. Next to viruses, they are the smallest known living organisms on earth. They multiply rapidly and colonize, so minute in structure that a colony of over a billion organisms can comfortably be accommodated within a space as minute as a drop of water.
Bacterial growth falls a pattern of binary fission where one bacterium divides into to daughter cells. As long as there is no mutational interruption, the two daughter cells are an exact genetic replica of the original. Bacterial population grows exponentially because of this process repeating itself.
Bacterial growth takes place in four stages and these are namely log, lag, stationary and death.
- Log phase: this is the adaption phase during which bacteria acclimatize to growth conditions.
- Lag phase: during this phase the actual growth occurs at an exponential rate. If unconstrained, bacteria will double at a constant rate. The actual rate of growth is determined by factors conducive to it.
- Stationary phase: because of toxic products and the depletion of nutrients consequent on unrestrained doubling, the rapid growth of bacteria slows down during this phase.
- Death phase: at this stage, totally starved of nutrients, the bacteria die.
Like all other forms of life, bacteria require a hospitable environment in which to grow. This must include a source of energy like light for instance, sources of gases like nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen; sources of various minerals and finally water. In essence, bacteria proliferate in a warm and humid environment.
More Articles :
- A List Of Good Bacteria
- Accute Bacterial Infection In Liver Transplant
- Bacterial Growth In Ro Water
- Bacterial Treatment Of Diseases
- Do Lipids Cause Bacterial Growth In Central Venous Catheters
- Four Stages Of Bacterial Infection
- Is Aids Caused By Bacteria
- Latest Treatment For Bacterial Prostatitis
- Milk Bacteria After Expiration
- Spice Bacterial Treatments For Export
- Spice Treatments To Reduce Bacterial Loads
- What Bacteria Does Cefizox
- What Helps Bacteria Grow
- What Kind Of Virus Infects Bacteria
- What Types Of Bacteria Grow On Bread
- Where Is Dna Found In Bacteria
