Generation time

Definition

Generation time is the period it takes for a microbial population to double in number. It is a critical metric in understanding microbial growth and replication rates.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Generation time can vary significantly between different microbial species.
2. Environmental factors such as temperature, nutrient availability, and pH can influence generation time.
3. In ideal conditions, E. coli has a generation time of about 20 minutes.
4. Generation time is inversely related to the growth rate; shorter generation times mean faster growth rates.
5. The calculation of generation time helps in predicting the spread of bacterial infections and the efficacy of antimicrobial treatments.

Review Questions

• What factors can affect the generation time of microbes?
• How does generation time relate to the growth rate of a microbial population?
• Why is understanding generation time important in microbiology?

Related terms

Binary Fission: A method of asexual reproduction in bacteria where a cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Lag Phase: The initial phase of microbial growth where cells are adapting to their environment before starting to divide rapidly.

Exponential Growth Phase: The phase where the population size doubles at regular intervals, leading to rapid increase in numbers.