Percentage Growth in Bacteria from t1 to t2: Exploring the Astonishing Increase in a Petri Dish

Microbiology, the study of microscopic organisms, often involves observing the growth of bacteria in a controlled environment such as a petri dish. One of the most fascinating aspects of this field is the astonishing rate at which bacteria can multiply. For instance, a colony of bacteria in a petri dish can grow by 150% from time t0 to t1, and by 400% from t0 to t2. This raises an interesting question: what is the percentage growth in the number of bacteria from t1 to t2? In this article, we will delve into the mathematics behind bacterial growth and provide a comprehensive answer to this question.

Understanding Bacterial Growth

Bacterial growth is an exponential process, meaning that the number of bacteria doubles during each time period. This is due to the fact that each bacterium divides into two identical cells during reproduction. Therefore, a small initial population can quickly grow into a large colony.

Calculating Percentage Growth

To calculate the percentage growth of bacteria from t1 to t2, we first need to understand the concept of percentage growth. In simple terms, percentage growth is the increase in a quantity over time expressed as a percentage of the original amount. It is calculated using the formula:

Percentage Growth = [(Final Value - Initial Value) / Initial Value] * 100

Applying this formula to our scenario, we can calculate the percentage growth from t1 to t2.

Applying the Formula

Let’s assume that the initial number of bacteria at t0 is 100. According to the given information, the number of bacteria grew by 150% from t0 to t1. This means that the number of bacteria at t1 is 250 (100 + 150% of 100).

Similarly, the number of bacteria grew by 400% from t0 to t2. This means that the number of bacteria at t2 is 500 (100 + 400% of 100).

Now, we can calculate the percentage growth from t1 to t2 using our formula. The initial value is the number of bacteria at t1 (250) and the final value is the number of bacteria at t2 (500).

Percentage Growth from t1 to t2 = [(500 - 250) / 250] * 100 = 100%

Conclusion

Therefore, the percentage growth in the number of bacteria from t1 to t2 is 100%. This means that the number of bacteria doubled during this time period. This example illustrates the astonishing rate at which bacteria can multiply under ideal conditions, highlighting the importance of understanding bacterial growth in fields such as microbiology, medicine, and environmental science.