Question

The maximum growth rate occurs in

• A. stationary phase
• B. senescent phase
• C. lag phase
• D. exponential phase

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Exponential phase or log phase is characterized by rapid growth in population, which continues till enough food is available. Stationary phase indicates maturity of growth system. In this, when the nutrients become limiting, growth slows down, so physiological activities of cells also slow down.
Senescence phase or steady phase is characterized by a decreasing growth rate as the plant reaches maturity and begins to senescence.
In lag phase, the size $(v)$ increases with times $(t)$.
This means that the growth rate is $\left(\frac{dv}{dt}\right)$
slow at first, but the rate continuously increases.