6. Environmental Control of Metabolism - Patterns of Growth Flashcards
What is the lag phase?
Where microorganisms adjust to the conditions of the culture by inducing enzymes that metabolise the available substrates
What is the log or exponential phase?
The doubling time of exponential growth can be calculated to compare growth of microbes
How does the exponential phase appear on a graph?
As a j-shaped curve on normal graph paper and a straight line on semi-logarithmic paper
What is the stationary phase?
When the culture medium becomes depleted, metabolites accumulate and secondary metabolites are produced
What is the death phase?
When lack of substrate and toxic accumulation of metabolites causes death of cells
What is the total cell count?
The number of cells visible in the field of view
What is viable cell count?
The number of cells actually dividing
