Which bacterial phase is characterized by rapid cell division and growth?

The phase characterized by rapid cell division and growth is the logarithmic phase. During this phase, bacterial cells are actively multiplying at an exponential rate, leading to an increase in the population size. This occurs after an initial lag phase, where cells adjust to their environment and prepare for division, and before they reach a stationary phase where nutrient depletion and waste accumulation lead to a halt in growth.

In the logarithmic phase, the environment is typically nutrient-rich, allowing the bacteria to maximize their growth potential. This phase is crucial for studying bacterial metabolism and genetic expression, as the cells are highly active and responsive to changes. Understanding this phase is important for applications in microbiology, including fermentation processes and antibiotic susceptibility testing.