how does bacteria grow

Bacteria grow primarily through a process called binary fission, where one bacterial cell grows to a certain size, duplicates its DNA, and then divides into two identical daughter cells. This growth happens in phases: first a lag phase where bacteria adapt to their environment, then an exponential or log phase of rapid cell division, followed by stationary and death phases as nutrients become limited or waste accumulates. The generation time for bacteria, or the time it takes for the population to double, varies between species but under optimal conditions can be as short as 10-20 minutes. Growth requires suitable conditions including moisture, nutrients, appropriate pH, and temperature for the bacteria to metabolize energy efficiently and multiply rapidly.