BIO 3372 Lecture 6: Chapter 6 - Microbial Growth
Document Summary
Microbial growth = refers to the numbers of cells. Size of the microbe may double in size, but this is not very signi cant compared with plants and animals. Bacteria may survive and grow slowly in nutrient poor environments by forming bio lms. Bio lms may be sources of health care associated infections. Microbial populations can become large in a very short time. By understanding microbial growth, we learn how t control growth of microbes that cause disease or food spoilage and hot to encourage growth of bene cial microbes. Survival and growth of any microorganism in a given environment depends on its metabolic characteristics. Refrigeration is the most common method of preserving food supplies. Based on the principle that microbial reproductive rates decrease at low temperatures. Psychotrophs do not grow well at low temperate; however, they can slowly degrade food. Spoilage may be mold, slime, off-tests or off-colors.
