The bacterial growth curve represents the number of live cells over time when cultured in:
Laboratory bacterial growth curve plotting viable number versus time is obtained from synchronous population in closed liquid batch culture, typically nutrient broth shaken for aeration. Solid agar shows colonies spatially separated, diffusion limited, colony counts reflect single time point not temporal kinetics. In broth, aliquots removed at intervals, optical density at 600 nm measures light scattering correlated to biomass and serial dilutions plated counting colony forming units representing live cells. Curve reveals four phases lag adaptation, log exponential where nutrients exceed Ks Mo
Ref: Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 16th ed., Chapter 6: Bacterial growth curve - Batch liquid culture.
