A Culture of Bacteria Is Doubling Every Hour

question 137

Essay

A culture of bacteria is doubling every hour. What is the average population over the first two hours if we assume that the culture initially contained two million organisms?

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Definitions:

Gamete

A mature haploid male or female germ cell which is able to unite with another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote.

Spore

A unit of sexual or asexual reproduction that may be adapted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavorable conditions.

Diploid Stage

A phase in an organism's life cycle where its cells contain two sets of chromosomes, one set inherited from each parent.

Adverse Environmental

Conditions or factors in the environment that can cause harm or negative effects on living organisms or ecosystems.