Which of the following best defines the generation time in prokaryotes?

• A. The time required for a prokaryotic cell to synthesize new DNA.
• B. The time required for a single prokaryotic cell to complete binary fission.
• C. The time required for a prokaryotic population to double in size.
• D. The time required for a prokaryotic population to reach stationary phase.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of generation time in prokaryotes. Generation time refers to the period it takes for a population of prokaryotic cells to double in number, not just a single cell's process or a specific biochemical event.
2. Step 2: Differentiate between individual cell processes and population-level measurements. While DNA synthesis and binary fission are parts of cell division, generation time focuses on the overall population growth rate.
3. Step 3: Recognize that generation time is a measure of population doubling, which reflects how quickly the entire population increases under optimal conditions.
4. Step 4: Eliminate options that describe single-cell events (like DNA synthesis or binary fission time) or phases of growth (like stationary phase), as these do not define generation time.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best definition of generation time is the time required for a prokaryotic population to double in size, which is a key parameter in microbial growth studies.