Question

You are studying a microbial species that divides by binary fission. Which of these do you expect to happen in the culture as is grows in a laboratory setting? Check all that apply.

-you expect the size of each cell to greatly increase over time, rather than the number of cells increasing much

-you expect the total biomass (weight) of cells to increase over time

-you expect the biomass to stay the same

-you expect the number of cells in the culture to increase, rather than each cell increasing much in size

Answer 1

1. You expect the total biomass (weight) of cells to increase over time

2. You expect the number of cells in culture to increase, rather than each cell increasing much in size

Explanation: When a bacteria divides by binary fission, it's population get doubled after a certain point of time which is called doubling time. The size of the bacteria will not greatly increase over time, only the number of cells will get increase. In case a growth curve of a bacteria, the initial phase is called lag phase at which the bacteria will adapt to the culture condition and prepares for division. The second phase is called log phase at which the cells divide actively by taking up all the nutrients,. The third phase is called stationary phase at which the cell division will be stable. The final phase is called death phase at which the cells will die because all the nutrients will be depleted.

When bacteria divides the weight of the bacteria (biomass) will also increase over time.