Bacterial Growth Chapter 3

Anabolic: Involves synthesis of cell constituents and metabolites essential for growth.
Catabolic: Relates to the breakdown of cell constituents and metabolites for energy release.

Batch Culture: A method where bacteria are grown in a closed system with a limited supply of nutrients.
Continuous Culture: Involves maintaining a constant growth rate by continuously supplying fresh nutrients while removing waste.
Lag Phase:
- Initial phase of bacterial growth; cells prepare for division by replicating proteins and DNA.
- Length varies from hours to days, depending on bacterial species and environmental conditions.
Log Phase:
- Characterized by rapid cell division and metabolic activity.
- Size of the bacterial colony increases dramatically; cells are highly vulnerable during this stage.
Stationary Phase:
- Growth rate slows as resources deplete; cell death matches the rate of division.
- The colony reaches equilibrium, living off limited resources while waste accumulation affects growth.
Death Phase:
- The number of dying bacteria exceeds new cell production due to resource limitations and waste buildup.
- Some cells may survive and eventually re-enter the growth cycle.

Primary Metabolites:
- Directly involved in normal growth and reproduction; essential for physiological functions.
- Present in many organisms and often referred to as central metabolites.
Secondary Metabolites:
- Do not directly impact growth or reproduction.
- Their absence may not cause immediate death, but may impair long-term survivability and aesthetics.

Photosynthesis:
- Process utilizing CO2, H2O, and light energy to produce glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).
- Vital for photoautotrophs like plants, algae, and certain bacteria that synthesize their own food.
Respiration: Process of breaking down glucose to release energy for cellular functions.
Fermentation:
- Involves anaerobic processes producing ethanol and carbon dioxide, leading to the formation of acetic acid.

Heterotroph: Organisms that cannot synthesize their own food and rely on organic substances.
Autotroph: Organisms capable of producing their own food from inorganic substances.
Chemoautotroph: Organisms that derive energy from chemical processes to produce organic matter from inorganic substrates.
Chemoheterotroph: Organisms that obtain both energy and carbon from organic compounds.