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KINETIC ASSAY


Here is a short time lapse video (see below) showing the progress of data acquisition. Point anywhere on the graphic and left click to start and stop the clip.


VIDEO PROLOGUE
Following inoculation the bacteria experience a LAG PHASE (Lasting approximately 10000 seconds = 167 minutes) as they adjust to their new environment. During this time, little or no cell division occurs and thus the population numbers remain low. Instead, the microbes are expending most of their energy synthesising the necessary enzymes to break down the abundant food source they have been introduced to.

Following this "preparation" period, there is a period of rapid population growth known as the LOG GROWTH PHASE (10000 - 20000 seconds). During this period, the cells begin once again, to focus their metabolic energy on media (nutrient) consumption which supports important processes such as cell growth and cell division.

Due to the sharp increase in cell numbers during the growth phase, the nutrients available to the growing cells become limited and metabolic wastes begin to accumulate within the closed experimental environment. As a result, following the growth phase the culture enters into a STATIONARY PHASE (30000 seconds to endpoint), marked by a dramatic decline in cell growth, as the culture's reproduction rate comes into equilibrium with its death rate.


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