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Culture density

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

Culture density refers to the number of microbial cells in a given volume of culture medium. It is commonly expressed as cells per milliliter (cells/mL).

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. Culture density can be measured using methods like direct cell counts, viable plate counts, and spectrophotometry.
  2. High culture density can lead to nutrient depletion and accumulation of waste products, affecting microbial growth rates.
  3. Spectrophotometry measures culture density by assessing the turbidity or optical density (OD) at specific wavelengths.
  4. Maintaining optimal culture density is crucial for industrial fermentation processes to maximize yield and productivity.
  5. Different microbial species have varying optimal culture densities for peak growth and metabolic activity.
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