In which phase of bacterial growth are far more cells dividing than dying?

• A. Lag phase
• B. Log phase
• C. Stationary phase
• D. Death phase

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the bacterial growth curve, which consists of four phases: lag phase, log (exponential) phase, stationary phase, and death phase.
2. In the lag phase, bacteria are adapting to their environment, and there is little to no cell division occurring.
3. In the log phase, also known as the exponential phase, bacteria are dividing at a constant and rapid rate, leading to a significant increase in the number of cells. This is the phase where far more cells are dividing than dying.
4. In the stationary phase, the rate of cell division equals the rate of cell death, leading to a stable population size.
5. In the death phase, the number of dying cells exceeds the number of new cells being produced, leading to a decline in the overall population.