Bacterial Division

• What should you be able to calculate by the end of the video?

  The number of bacteria in a population
• What type of students is this material intended for?

  Biology triple students
• What are bacteria classified as?

  Prokaryotes
• How is bacterial genetic information organized?

  It is not enclosed in a nucleus
• What is the process by which bacteria multiply?

  Binary fission
• How often can bacteria undergo binary fission?

  Every 20 minutes
• What conditions are necessary for rapid bacterial growth?

  Enough nutrients and suitable temperature
• How do you calculate the number of bacteria after a certain time?

  Use the equation $N =$$2^n$
• What does $n$ represent in the bacteria equation?


  The number of rounds of division
• How many rounds of division occur in three hours?

  Nine rounds of division
• What is the number of bacteria after three hours?

  512 bacteria
• How do you express 512 in standard form?

  5.12 times $10^2$
• How many rounds of division occur in eight hours?

  24 rounds of division
• What is the number of bacteria after eight hours?

  16,777,216 bacteria
• How do you express 16,777,216 in standard form?

  1.678 times $10^7$
• What is the process of binary fission in bacteria?

  • One bacterial cell splits into two
  • Occurs every 20 minutes under ideal conditions
  • Requires sufficient nutrients and suitable temperature
• What steps are involved in calculating bacterial growth?

  1. Determine the time in minutes
  2. Calculate rounds of division: $n =$$\text{time} / 20$
  3. Use the equation: $N =$$2^n$
  4. Express in standard form if required