Questions: Which step in the growth phase is described as: inoculum are added to a fresh culture medium with no increase in cell number due to cells gearing up for the next phase of growth? log lag stationary death

The answer is the second one: lag.

Explanation for each option:

1. $\log$ (Exponential) Phase: This phase is characterized by rapid cell division and an exponential increase in cell number. It is not the phase where there is no increase in cell number.

2. Lag Phase: This is the correct answer. During the lag phase, inoculum are added to a fresh culture medium, and there is no immediate increase in cell number. Instead, cells are adapting to the new environment, synthesizing necessary enzymes, and gearing up for the next phase of growth.

3. Stationary Phase: In this phase, the growth rate slows down, and the number of new cells created is roughly equal to the number of cells dying. This is not the phase where cells are preparing for growth without an increase in cell number.

4. Death Phase: During the death phase, the number of dying cells exceeds the number of new cells being formed, leading to a decline in the overall cell population. This phase does not describe a period of preparation without growth.

In summary, the lag phase is the step in the growth phase where cells are preparing for growth without an increase in cell number.