Culturing microorganisms

Introduction to bacterial growth curves

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Explore the anatomy of a bacterial growth curve and how colony forming units per millilitre calculations can be used to calibrate actively growing bacteria. Delve into the principles and calculations behind bacterial doubling through the process of binary fission, and learn how to identify different phases of a bacterial growth curve. Use the skills developed to identify the exponential phase and calculate the generation time of a specific bacterial population.

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Learning outcomes

Define the different phases of a typical bacterial growth curve, what they represent and how they can be predicted.
Apply knowledge of bacterial ecological culture preferences to example culture conditions and how generation times can be impacted by various conditions.
Construct appropriate charts that demonstrate the relationships between optical density, colony forming units per mililitre (CFU/mL), number of bacterial cells and time.
Rearrange equations and extrapolate CFU/mL values from the optical density.
Interpret and calculate doubling time and generation time, connecting both concepts together and extrapolating generation time from within the exponential phase period.

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Skills

Manipulating and Presenting Data

How to define the type and axes of a standard curve and use this to calculate the CFU/mL from an optical density value
How to calculate the number of divisions of a bacterial progenitor cell and the total number of cells after a defined period of growth
How to calculate the generation time of a bacteria based on a defined exponential phase
Defining the title of a growth curve graph

Interpreting and Analysing Data

How to interpret death phases based on initial inoculum concentration
Distinguishing between each of the different growth phases from the interactive bacterial growth curve and using this to calculate the generation time
Defining how different growth conditions impact phase behaviour and generation time

Concepts, Principles and Theories

How to identify the correct definition of each bacterial growth phase

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Dr. Alexandra Moores

School of Biosciences, University of Kent

The Smart Worksheet was extremely useful to see the overall understanding and application of theories that we expected students to be able to use. The feedback is clear and accessible, enabling students to gain a deeper understanding of the topic they are studying and aiding in their success.

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Degrees

Biological science

Biomedical science

Foundation science

Modules

Microbiology

Topic

Culturing microorganisms

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