During the log phase, which description is accurate?

During the log phase, which description is accurate?

• A. Lag phase
• B. Log phase
• C. Stationary phase
• D. Death phase

Answer: (B)

During microbial growth, the key idea is how cells behave when nutrients are plentiful and waste hasn't built up yet. In the log (exponential) phase, cells divide at a constant rate, so the population grows exponentially and the doubling time remains constant. Metabolism is high and balanced, with rapid, steady increases in viable cell numbers. This is why the log phase description fits best: you see a swift, continuous rise in cell numbers as long as resources are available. In contrast, a lag phase is the period of adaptation with little or no net growth, a stationary phase occurs when growth slows to zero due to limitations, and a death phase is when cells decline as conditions become unfavorable.

During microbial growth, the key idea is how cells behave when nutrients are plentiful and waste hasn't built up yet. In the log (exponential) phase, cells divide at a constant rate, so the population grows exponentially and the doubling time remains constant. Metabolism is high and balanced, with rapid, steady increases in viable cell numbers.

This is why the log phase description fits best: you see a swift, continuous rise in cell numbers as long as resources are available. In contrast, a lag phase is the period of adaptation with little or no net growth, a stationary phase occurs when growth slows to zero due to limitations, and a death phase is when cells decline as conditions become unfavorable.