Exponential growth phase

Definition

The exponential growth phase is a period in the microbial life cycle where the population size doubles at a constant rate. This phase occurs after the lag phase and before the stationary phase.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. During exponential growth, microbes have optimal conditions for nutrient availability and environmental factors.
2. The rate of cell division is constant during this phase, leading to a rapid increase in population density.
3. This phase is also known as the log phase because when plotted on a logarithmic scale, it shows a straight-line increase.
4. Exponential growth continues until resources become limited or waste products accumulate to inhibitory levels.
5. Generation time, the time it takes for the population to double, can be calculated during this phase.

Review Questions

• What are the key characteristics of the exponential growth phase?
• Why does exponential growth eventually stop in microbial populations?
• How can you calculate generation time during the exponential growth phase?

Related terms

Lag Phase: A period of adaptation where microbes prepare for future growth but do not yet divide.

Stationary Phase: A plateau in microbial population size due to resource depletion or waste accumulation.

Generation Time: The time required for a microbial population to double in number during exponential growth.