How Do You Calculate the Relative Growth Rate of E. coli in a Nutrient Broth?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the relative growth rate of Escherichia coli in a nutrient broth, focusing on a scenario where the bacterium divides every 20 minutes starting from an initial population of 90 cells. The problem specifically asks for the relative growth rate with time measured in hours.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the meaning of growth rate and relative growth rate, with some attempting to clarify the definitions and implications of these terms. Questions are raised about the nature of the growth experienced by the population and the mathematical representation of the population over time.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants seeking clarification on key concepts and definitions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the relationship between growth rate and population size, but there is no explicit consensus on the interpretation of relative growth rate or the function representing the population.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the definitions and implications of growth rates, and there may be assumptions about the type of growth function that applies to the bacterial population, which are not fully resolved.

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A common inhabitant of human intestines is the bacterium Escherichia coli. A cell of this bacterium in a nutrient-broth medium divides into two cells every 20 minutes. The initial population of a culture is 90 cells.


the question asks to find the relative growth rate, if we measure t in hours.


im not exactly sure what they are asking for?
if someone can point me in the right direction.
 
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What does growth rate mean, and what does "relative growth rate" mean?
 
well growth rate is that rate at which a certain population increases or decreases. so relative growth rate is the rate at which a population increases or decreases relative to time?
 
No, "relative growth rate" means the growth rate relative to the SIZE OF THE POPULATION at the same time!

1. So, if the population at time t is x(t), what is its growth rate at time t?
2. And what is its relative growth rate?
3. What type of growth do you think the bacterium population experiences?
4. What type of function must x(t) be?
5. Use the info to determine x(t)!
6. Calculate the relative growth rate!
 

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