Growth curve of micro-organisms

Question 1

Binary fission

Answer 1

Dividing of bacteria through asexual reproduction

Question 2

Lag phase

Answer 2

Period of adaptation by cells to new conditions
Bacteria are producing enzymes to digest materials
Rate of growth increase at the end

Question 3

Log phase

Answer 3

Rapid period of growth
Plenty of nutrients
Few waste products produced
Max rate of cell division

Question 4

Stationary phase

Answer 4

Rate of growth levels off
Nutrients used up
Amount of waste increase
Produce rate = Death rate

Question 5

Death phase

Answer 5

Death > produce rate
Few nutrients left
Bacteria poisoned by large amount of waste product
Rate of growth falling

Question 6

Endospore

Answer 6

Formed in unfavourable conditions and is highly resistant to environmental hazards

Question 7

Batch food processing

Answer 7

Fixed amount of sterile nutrient added to microorganism
Goes through typical growth curve

Question 8

Continuous flow food processing

Answer 8

Nutrients continuously fed into the bioreactor and products are withdrawn constantly
Maintained in log phase