stationary phase
Quick Summary
The stationary phase is one of four phases in a bacterial growth curve. During this phase, the number of bacterial cells in a population remains constant. This occurs because the rate of cell division equals the rate of cell death.12
The bacterial growth curve typically includes:
* Lag phase: Bacteria adjust to a new environment and prepare for division.3
* Log (exponential) phase: Rapid, logarithmic increase in cell numbers.2
* Stationary phase: Population size stabilizes due to depleted nutrients or accumulated waste.2
* Death (decline) phase: Cell death rate exceeds the rate of new cell formation.2
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