Bacterial Growth by Binary Fission How Many After 5 Hours

Subject : Biology

Question:

If an infection starts with a single bacterium that undergoes binary fission every hour, how many bacteria will there be after 5 hours?

A. 16

B. 32

C. 11

D. 10

Expert Verified Solution:

The correct answer is B. 32.

Explanation:

Binary fission is a process of asexual reproduction commonly used by bacteria to multiply. In this process, a single bacterium divides into two identical daughter cells, and each new cell continues to divide in subsequent generations. This results in exponential growth, meaning the number of bacteria doubles every hour in this scenario.

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the bacterial growth over the course of 5 hours, starting with 1 bacterium:

Hour 0 (initial): 1 bacterium.
After 1 hour: The bacterium undergoes binary fission, producing 2 bacteria.
After 2 hours: Each of the 2 bacteria divides again, resulting in 4 bacteria.
After 3 hours: The 4 bacteria divide, resulting in 8 bacteria.
After 4 hours: The 8 bacteria divide, resulting in 16 bacteria.
After 5 hours: The 16 bacteria divide, resulting in 32 bacteria.

Thus, after 5 hours, the total number of bacteria will be 32. This rapid multiplication is a key characteristic of bacterial infections, explaining how even a small infection can spread quickly if left untreated. In just a few hours, a single bacterium can grow into a substantial population due to exponential growth, making early intervention and treatment critical in preventing the spread of bacterial infections.

Importance of Understanding Bacterial Growth:
Understanding the process of binary fission and how bacteria multiply is crucial in fields like microbiology, medicine, and public health. The fast rate of bacterial reproduction highlights why controlling infections early is essential to prevent them from escalating.

This example illustrates the importance of rapid detection, prevention, and treatment strategies to manage bacterial infections effectively, especially in clinical settings where infections can spread quickly due to the exponential growth rate of bacteria.