Growth of Microbial Cells and Populations

Biofilm

high density of cells attached to surfaces

Quorum Sensing

way microbes can sense what is ar

wet

biofilms grow on these surfaces, often including rocks, teeth, and shower curtains

Antibiotic Resistance

biofilms have this characteristic that makes it harder to cure chronic infections

P. aeruginosa

microbe that produces compounds that are fluorescent under UV light- this a diagnostic feature that is expresses when the organism is starves for iron

Binary Fission

bacteria basically clone themselves when they reproduce via

Filamentous

what kind of bacteria and fungi grow via extension of the hyphal tip

Exponentially

most microbial populations grow clonally and …

Generation Time

the time it takes for a cell or population to double in number or mass

Exponential Growth

common in biology, especially during early phases of growth and even during early periods of disease spread

Lag phase

cells emerge from dormancy, sense their new environment, synthesize new proteins

Stationary phase

cells running out of nutrients, or a buildup of toxins, carry out secondary metabolism, some species form spores

secondary metabolism

not involved in exponential growth of cells, takes place when cells are slowing down or have stopped growing

Endospores

are produced only by specific gram-positive bacteria in the firmicutes group. One spore per cell. very tough- can survive for many years

Arthrospores

are small spores produced by many gram-positive actinbacteria including the genus streptomyces- which also produces many antibiotics

Death phase

death of cells can be exponential- spores can survive the death phase

Streptomyces

microbe that obligate aerobes, over 1500 described species, important as producers of many antibiotics