In __ phase of bacterial growth the cell growth stops. a. Dead b. Log c. Stationary d. Lag

The correct answer is a. Dead.<br /><br />In the bacterial growth curve, there are four distinct phases: lag, log (exponential), stationary, and death (or decline). During the lag phase, bacteria are adapting to their environment and preparing for growth. In the log phase, the cells are actively dividing and growing at an exponential rate. The stationary phase is characterized by a balance between cell division and cell death, and the number of viable cells remains relatively constant. Finally, in the death or decline phase, the number of dying cells exceeds the number of new cells being formed, and the overall population decreases. It is during this last phase that cell growth stops.