ODAlarm allows users to input log-phase OD600 values at two distinct time points, along with their desired level of bacterial growth in the log phase. Based on these inputs, the application calculates the time required to achieve the desired growth level. Users can then set a timer to notify them when the specified growth level is reached.

Bacterial growth

Bacterial growth occurs in several distinct phases, each characterized by specific physiological and metabolic changes. Here’s an explanation of the process from inoculation to saturation phase:

1. Lag Phase

• Overview: After inoculation, bacteria enter a period of adaptation called the lag phase.
• Characteristics:
  • Cells are metabolically active but not dividing.
  • They are synthesizing necessary enzymes, proteins, and other molecules required for growth.
  • Duration of the lag phase varies depending on factors such as the species of bacteria, the condition of the cells, and the composition of the growth medium.

2. Log (Exponential) Phase

• Overview: Once adapted, bacteria enter the log phase, characterized by rapid cell division and exponential growth.
• Characteristics:
  • Cells divide at a constant rate, doubling in number at regular intervals.
  • This phase is represented by a straight line when plotted on a logarithmic scale.
  • The growth rate is influenced by the species of bacteria and the conditions of the environment.
  • Bacterial cells are most uniform in terms of size, shape, and metabolic activity during this phase, making them ideal for experimental studies.

3. Stationary Phase

• Overview: Growth slows down and eventually stops as the environment becomes less favorable.
• Characteristics:
  • The rate of cell division equals the rate of cell death, leading to a plateau in the number of viable cells.
  • Nutrient depletion and accumulation of waste products contribute to the slowing of growth.
  • Some bacteria may undergo physiological changes to survive in the less favorable conditions, such as forming spores or increasing production of secondary metabolites.

4. Death (Decline) Phase

• Overview: If the environment continues to deteriorate, bacteria enter the death phase.
• Characteristics:
  • The number of dying cells exceeds the number of new cells being formed.
  • This results in a decline in the overall number of viable cells.
  • The rate of cell death can be influenced by the severity of nutrient depletion and accumulation of toxic waste products.

Importance of Using Log-Phase Bacteria

Using bacteria in the log phase is crucial for many experiments and applications in microbiology and biotechnology.

 

• Optimal Growth and Metabolism:

  • Bacteria in the log phase are actively dividing and metabolizing at their maximum rate. This makes them physiologically and biochemically uniform, ensuring consistency in experimental results.

• Uniformity:

  • The cells are more uniform in size, shape, and metabolic activity during the log phase compared to other phases. This uniformity is essential for reproducibility in experiments.

• Sensitivity to Treatments:

  • Log-phase bacteria are more sensitive to antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents. This phase is ideal for studying the efficacy of new drugs and understanding bacterial resistance mechanisms.

• High Transformation Efficiency:

  • During the log phase, bacteria are more competent to take up foreign DNA. This is particularly important in genetic engineering experiments involving transformation and plasmid uptake.

• Active Enzyme Production:

  • Enzymes and other proteins are produced at higher levels during the log phase, making it the best time to harvest cells for protein purification and enzyme studies.

 

Relevant Experiments Using Log-Phase Bacteria