A bacterial culture in a petri dish grows at an exponential rate. The petr dish has an area of 256 \( \mathrm{~mm}^{2} \), and the bacterial culture stops growing when it covers this area. The area in \( \mathrm{mm}^{2} \) that the

bacteria initially occupy is just a tiny fraction of the dish, starting from a single cell. Bacteria can divide approximately every 20 minutes under optimal conditions, resulting in a mind-blowing exponential growth that can see a few cells balloon into millions in just a few hours. This ability to thrive in a short span highlights why bacterial cultures are vital for research, bioprocessing, and even medical advances. In real-world applications, understanding bacterial growth is crucial in fields such as medicine, where controlling bacterial population can impact antibiotic effectiveness. For instance, the concept of bacterial biofilms—where bacteria grow in clusters—can lead to chronic infections. This is why scientists are continually researching ways to manage and manipulate bacterial growth in health and industry, ensuring we make the most of their incredible growth rates while keeping in check their potential for harm.