Lag phase
“flat” period of adjustment, enlargement; little growth
Exponential growth phase (log phase)
a period of maximum growth will continue as long as cells have adequate nutrients and a favorable environment
Stationary phase
the rate of cell growth equals the rate of cell death caused by depleted nutrients and O2, excretion of organic acids and pollutants; flat area in the middle of the curve
Death phase
as limiting factors intensify (resources are depleted), cells die Exponentially
Temperature Group for Human Pathogens
Mesophiles. Why? Microbes that fall into this temperature group have an optimum growth temperature that is the same as normal human body temperature, 37°C or 98.6°F; we are an incubator for these organisms, so they tend to be human pathogens because they can grow so well at our normal/average body temperature.
