The measurement of ATP formation can be a useful indirect measurement of microbial growth rates as the number of ATP formed should increase as the number of metabolically active cells increases. 

- Turbidity 
- Dry Weight 
- ATP Formation 
- Biosynthesis of Proteins and Nucleic Acids 
- Oxygen Consumption 

Indirect Methods for Measuring Microbial Growth

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Turbidity is the cloudiness of a liquid sample. It can be measured using a spectrophotometer, which measures the amount of light absorbance in a sample. A high turbidity correlates to a high cell count.

Turbidity

Dry weight is the form of indirect measurement where a sample is first concentrated by filtration or centrifugation, then washed, and dried before weighing for cell density. This method is particularly useful for filamentous organisms as they are hard to visualize on plates.

Dry Weight 

By measuring the amount of oxygen aerobic cells are consuming, the metabolic activity of live cells can be correlated to this disappearance of product. 

Oxygen Consumption

Growth Measurement Method via ATP Formation

Surveying the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids is an indirect method of measuring microbial growth because it can determine whether viable cells are producing anabolic products. 

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