Microbial growth

In microbiology, growth is defined as an increase in the number of cells in a population. The Generation time is the interval it takes for a population to double in size, either from a bacteria to two or from 500,000 to a million.

The growth of microorganisms is significantly affected by environmental conditions, including:

• Temperature

• pH level

• Water availability

• Oxygen

• Nutrient composition

• Pressure

• Radiation

The nutrient content of the medium and the environmental conditions must be suitable in order to achieve an efficient growth of microorganisms.

A nutrient solution called culture medium, or broth, is used to grow microorganisms in the laboratory. Every microorganism has different nutritional needs and ability to obtain nutrition from media through various metabolic pathways.

Therefore, the amount and type of nutrients to be added in a medium must be carefully considered to ensure successful growth and production of desirable metabolites.

Related pages

• Growth curve