Microbial Growth

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to microbial growth, including reproduction, growth requirements, and the environmental factors that affect microbial life.

Generation Time

The time taken for a microbial population to double in size.

Binary Fission

The most common form of bacterial reproduction involving growth, DNA replication, division of cytoplasm, and septum formation.

Biofilm

A micro ecosystem formed by one or more species providing protection in liquid environments.

Quorum Sensing

A process of cell-to-cell communication allowing microorganisms to coordinate their activities based on cell density.

Obligate Aerobe

Microorganisms that require oxygen for growth.

Facultative Anaerobe

Microorganisms that can grow with or without oxygen.

Psychrophile

Microorganisms that thrive at very low temperatures (below 0°C).

Acidophile

Microorganisms that prefer acidic environments (pH < 5.5).

Optical Density

A measure of how much a chemical substance absorbs light by measuring the intensity of light as it passes through a solution.

Nutritional Requirements

Specific nutrients needed by microorganisms for growth, which can vary widely among species.