During the Lag phase, the cells are introduced to a new environment. The number of cells is small, and does not change, but the cells are metabolically active and growing larger to prepare for growth. 

Phase 1: Lag Phase

Also known as the exponential growth phase, cells are undergoing binary fission and exponentially increasing their numbers. This is the stage where bacteria are most susceptible to disinfectants and antibiotics. 

Phase 2: Log Phase

During the stationary phase, new cells are still being formed and cells are dying, but the number of living cells remains constant. This stage occurs due to accumulation of waste products, and usage of available nutrients creating unfavorable growth conditions. 

Phase 3: Stationary Phase

The death phase occurs when the number of dying cells exceeds the living. It is marked by an exponential decline in the number of cells due to lack of nutrients and accumulation of waste. 

Phase 4: Death Phase

When microbes are introduced to a new environment, they follow a typical growth pattern, which consists of four phases:
1) Lag Phase
2) Log Phase
3) Stationary Phase
4) Death Phase

Microbial growth is indicated by the increase in number of cells by division of parent cells into daughter cells. 

Microbial Growth

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

OpenStax Microbiology Textbook

Asexual reproduction is a method of reproduction in which a single parent cell gives rise to daughter cells, without the use of new genetic material. It is the only way prokaryotes can reproduce/divide. 

Asexual Reproduction

Also known as doubling time, generation time for bacteria is measured as the time it takes for the population to double in number. 

Generation Time

Growth Curve 

There are many different methods for measuring microbial growth. Each method falls into one of two categories:
- Direct 
- Indirect

Methods for Measuring Microbial Growth

Biofilms are complex populations composed of many different types of microorganisms in a structured ecosystem. Biofilms provide the microbes with an advantageous growth circumstances where the waste product from one organism may be the nutrients for another. They can be found in various environments stuck to surfaces.

Biofilms

The maximum growth of a microbial population is dependent upon its specific ideal physical and chemical conditions.

Growth Conditions

In order to maintain a healthy environment, we needed to develop ways to control microbial growth and reduce the microbial count to safe levels for public health. "Safe levels" depends on the type of environment you are in. A medical setting will require much lower microbial counts than inside our homes, and therefore require higher levels of decontamination

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