In this module, you learned that some bacteria can grow at alarming rates.  Now, you will track the growth of a single cell for a short period of time.  For this exercise, let’s assume that bacteria divide every 8 minutes, a rate that is sometimes found in the natural environment.  But first, remember how bacteria grow…one cell becomes two, two becomes four, four becomes eight, etc. 

1.  Start by using the table in the response sheet to track the progress of the bacterial colony over two hours, or 120 minutes.  Remember these bacteria double every 8 minutes!

2.  Use the data accumulated in your response sheet's table to plot the growth on the Q/A Response worksheet.

3.  Next, use the graph and your knowledge of ecology to answer the questions on the Q/A Response worksheet.

Activity 1 / Activity 2 / Activity 3 / Activity 4 / Activity 5

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