What is the first phase of bacterial growth called?

The first phase of bacterial growth is known as the lag phase. During this initial stage, bacteria are adapting to their new environment and preparing for growth. The cells are metabolically active, but they are not yet dividing. This adjustment period allows the bacteria to absorb nutrients, synthesize necessary proteins, and prepare their cellular machinery for replication.

As they acclimate, there is typically little to no increase in cell number, which is why it’s referred to as the lag phase. Once they are fully prepared, bacteria will then enter the log phase, where rapid cell division occurs. Understanding the lag phase is crucial for food safety, as it highlights the importance of allowing adequate time for bacteria to multiply, especially in food handling and storage contexts.