San Diego State University Microbiology Discussion Questions

I’m working on a microbiology writing question and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.

1. With regard to bacteria, what is meant by the term “growth”?
2. Describe the process of binary fission in bacteria.
3. Why is data for microbial growth generally plotted on a logarithmic scale rather than an
arithmetic scale? Draw a graph that represents the exponential phase of growth of a bacterial
culture.
4. Draw a graph representing a typical bacterial growth curve, and label and describe each of
the four phases of the curve.
5. List and briefly describe five physical and chemical factors that affect microbial growth.