In which phase of the bacterial growth curve is the generation time typically measured?

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

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the bacterial growth curve, which consists of four main phases: lag phase, log (exponential) phase, stationary phase, and death phase.
2. Recognize that the generation time is the time it takes for a bacterial population to double in number.
3. Identify that during the lag phase, bacteria are adapting to their environment and not dividing at a maximum rate, so generation time is not typically measured here.
4. Note that in the stationary phase, the rate of bacterial growth equals the rate of bacterial death, so the population size remains constant, making it unsuitable for measuring generation time.
5. Focus on the log phase, where bacteria are dividing at their maximum rate, resulting in exponential growth. This is the phase where generation time is typically measured because the conditions are optimal for growth and division.