Name the four phases of the typical bacterial growth curve.

The four phases of the typical bacterial growth curve are accurately described by lag, log, stationary, and death phases.

In the lag phase, bacteria acclimatize to their new environment and prepare for growth by synthesizing necessary enzymes and nutrients. This phase can last from a few hours to days, depending on the conditions.

During the log phase, also known as the exponential phase, the bacteria begin to divide at a constant and rapid rate. This phase is characterized by optimal conditions for growth, and the population increases exponentially, leading to a significant rise in cell numbers.

The stationary phase occurs when the growth rate slows as resources become limited and waste products accumulate. In this phase, the rate of cell division equals the rate of cell death, resulting in a stable population size.

Finally, in the death phase, the number of viable cells declines as the nutrient supply depletes further and toxic concentrations of waste products build up, leading to increased cell death.

This sequence of phases reflects the dynamic changes in bacterial populations under varying environmental conditions.