MICROBES

l Growth IDLY AT AN EXPONENTIA

L RATE UNDER
MICROBES REPRODUCE RAP N GROWN IN CULTURE, A PREDICTABLE

ro bia FAVORABLE CONDITIONS. WHE

A MICROBIAL POPULATION
OCCURS. THIS

Mic
PATTERN OF GROWTH IN BER OF
Y REPRESENTED AS THE NUM AS A
N CAN BE GRAPHICALL
PATTER OVER TIME AND IS KNOWN
TION
LIVING CELLS IN A POPULA
GROWTH CURVE.

h ases Sta io
t DEATH
p

-
LAG LOG nary

In the death phase, the

This initial phase is number of living cells
characterized by cellular Cell growth reaches a decreases exponentially
activity but not growth, A This is the time when the plateau, or stationary phase, and population growth
small group of cells are cells are dividing by binary where the number of experiences a sharp
placed in a nutrient rich fission and doubling in dividing cells equal the decline. This helps spore
medium that allows them numbers after each number of dying cells. This producing microbes to
to synthesize proteins and generation time. In this results in no overall survive long enough for
other molecules necessary phase, antibiotics and population growth. spore production.
for replication. disinfectants are most
effective.

Osmotic Pressure

Availability of Nutrients
Temperature and Salinity

Barometric
pH Pressure
Moisture
W
Gaseous Atmosphere on ays
o i how
t

Physical Methods gr nhibit

ac g o owth
F

Refrigeration cannot Heat is the most

t i n
Mi ors affect th
be relied upon to kill common type of
microorganisms; it sterilization for
merely slows their inanimate objects
crob
ial Grow CHemical agents
metabolism and their able to withstand
rate of growth. high temperatures.
This refers to the
C old Heat preservation of foods,
antisera, antitoxins, Antiseptics are antimicrobial
antibiotics, and toxins by agents that can safely be
Microbes can be The sun acts as a lyophilization - the Chemical agents are used to
combined use of freezing inhibit growth of pathogens, applied to the skin. This
removed from disinfecting agent reduces the number of
liquids using filters that kills only and drying. either temporarily or
permanently. The mechanism organisms on a surface; it
having appropriate De
s ic c a ti o n
microorganisms that does not penetrate pores
pore sizes. are exposed to direct by which various
disinfectants kill cells varies and hair follicles to destroy
sunlight. microorganisms residing
from one type of disinfectant
Filt
ration Aerobes and Radiation Ultrasonic cleaners are to another. there.

microaerophiles can be used in hospitals, medical,

killed by placing them and dental clinics. These
consist of tanks filled with
into an atmosphere

infectants
liquid solvent (usually
devoid of oxygen or by

Antiseptics
water); the short sound
removing oxygen from
the environment.
waves are then passed
through the liquid.
Dis
A t G a s e o u sr U lt
r a s o ni c
m osphe
e

W aves