Question
upstudy study bank question image url

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

Ask by Wright Martin. in the United States
Mar 12,2025

Upstudy AI Solution

Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

To determine when the bacterial culture covers the entire petri dish area of \( 256 \, \mathrm{mm}^{2} \), use the exponential growth formula: \[ N(t) = N_0 e^{kt} \] Where: - \( N(t) \) is the number of bacteria at time \( t \), - \( N_0 \) is the initial number of bacteria, - \( k \) is the growth constant, - \( t \) is time. Set \( N(t) = 256 \, \mathrm{mm}^{2} \) and solve for \( t \) using the known values of \( N_0 \) and \( k \).

Solution

It seems like your message got cut off. However, I can help you understand how to approach a problem involving exponential growth of a bacterial culture in a petri dish. ### Known Conditions: 1. The area of the petri dish is \( A = 256 \, \mathrm{mm}^2 \). 2. The bacterial culture grows at an exponential rate until it covers the entire area of the dish. ### General Approach: 1. **Exponential Growth Model**: The growth of the bacteria can be modeled by the equation: \[ N(t) = N_0 e^{kt} \] where: - \( N(t) \) is the number of bacteria at time \( t \), - \( N_0 \) is the initial number of bacteria, - \( k \) is the growth constant, - \( t \) is time, - \( e \) is the base of the natural logarithm. 2. **Coverage Condition**: The culture stops growing when it covers the area of the petri dish, which is \( 256 \, \mathrm{mm}^2 \). 3. **Finding Time to Cover the Area**: If we know the initial number of bacteria and the growth constant, we can find the time \( t \) when the area is fully covered. If you provide the initial number of bacteria \( N_0 \) and the growth constant \( k \), I can help you calculate the time \( t \) when the bacteria cover the area of the petri dish. Please provide the missing information or clarify your question!

Answered by UpStudy AI and reviewed by a Professional Tutor

error msg
Explain
Simplify this solution

Beyond the Answer

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.

Related Questions

Latest Biology Questions

Try Premium now!
Try Premium and ask Thoth AI unlimited math questions now!
Maybe later Go Premium
Study can be a real struggle
Why not UpStudy it?
Select your plan below
Premium

You can enjoy

Start now
  • Step-by-step explanations
  • 24/7 expert live tutors
  • Unlimited number of questions
  • No interruptions
  • Full access to Answer and Solution
  • Full Access to PDF Chat, UpStudy Chat, Browsing Chat
Basic

Totally free but limited

  • Limited Solution
Welcome to UpStudy!
Please sign in to continue the Thoth AI Chat journey
Continue with Email
Or continue with
By clicking “Sign in”, you agree to our Terms of Use & Privacy Policy