Microbial Growth

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the chapter on microbial growth.

Microbial Growth

Defined as the increase in the number of cells, not cell size.

Budding

A method of asexual reproduction where a new organism grows off the parent organism.

Fragmentation

A form of asexual reproduction where an organism breaks into smaller pieces, each capable of growing into a new organism.

Binary Fission

The most common method of cell division in bacteria, where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells.

Generation Time

The time required for a cell to divide and increase in number.

Logarithmic Growth Phase

A phase in bacterial growth where the population increases exponentially.

Biofilms

Microbial communities that form slime or hydrogels adhering to surfaces.

Obligate Aerobes

Bacteria that require oxygen for growth.

Facultative Anaerobes

Bacteria that can grow in both the presence and absence of oxygen, but prefer oxygen.

Obligate Anaerobes

Bacteria that cannot grow in the presence of oxygen.

Nutrient Broth

A liquid growth medium for culturing microorganisms.

pH Requirement

Most bacteria grow optimally at a neutral pH, while molds and yeasts tend to grow in slightly acidic environments.

Trace Elements

Inorganic elements required by microorganisms in small amounts, usually as enzyme cofactors.

Plasmolysis

The process where bacterial cells lose water and shrink due to a hypertonic environment.

Anaerobic Containers

Specialized equipment used to grow bacteria that do not require oxygen.

Selective Media

Culture media designed to suppress unwanted microbes and encourage desired ones.

Pure Culture

A culture that contains only one species or strain of organism.

Streak Plate Method

A laboratory technique used to isolate a pure culture from a mixed population.