Phases of microbe growth

Spectrophotometer can also be used to determine 4 basic phases of a microbe’s growth curve in a culture over time. What are these phases?

Microbe’s lag phase

1. Microbes are preparing for steady growth

Microbe’s exponential phase

2. Microorganisms are replicating at a constant & steady exp rate

Microbe’s stationary phase

3. replication has either halted or it’s now equal to the death rate

Microbe’s death phase

4. Nutrients are depleted, waste levels are high; cells are dying at a steady exp rate