MMG 301 Lecture 15 Flashcards

Recall the equation governing bacterial growth

N=N0 *2n (n= # generations)

Explain why the progression of bacterial growth looks linear on a
semi-log plot

one axis is linear, the other is logarithmic

Calculate the generation time or the number of generations per hour
of a culture based on a given plot

g=1/v (v= # generations per hour)

Describe what happens in the four growth phases of batch cultures

Lag: adjust to medium
Exponential: cell & mass double in each generation
Stationary: balance between cell division and death
Death: cells start dying

Explain what parameters determine the presence and duration of the
lag phase

nature of new medium
where bacteria are coming from
if bacteria need to turn on genes (complex to minimum medium)
health of cell (i.e. coming from exponential vs death phase)

Explain what parameters control the growth rate in exponential phase

Faster growth rate in complex medium than in minimum medium

Explain parameters that can cause the stationary phase

run out of nutrients
accumulate too much waste

Explain Liebig�s law of the minimum

the concentration of the limiting nutrient affects the growth rate
& growth yield. Increase growth rate as increase concentration of
limiting nutrient until saturation when only more yield is made

Explain how growth factor bioassays work

Used in food industry; give certain amount of known growth factor in
medium (i.e. thiamin) that organism needs and see if it grows

Recall the key points describing bacterial growth in chemostats

Flow in = flow out
constant volume, pH, aeration
growth rate= dilution rate
dilution rate=flow rate/chemostat volume
Steady state; cell density & nutrients are constant
cell density is controlled by flow rate & limiting nutrient concentration

Explain how cell density is controlled by flow rate and limiting
nutrient concentration*

...

Explain why the bacterial concentration remains constant in the
steady state region of chemostat function*

Bacteria are washed out at a dilution greater than .75

Explain why the cell output increases while the bacterial
concentration remains constant in the steady state region of chemostat function*

cell density is controlled by flow rate & limiting nutrient concentration