A bacterial colony is a visible cluster of bacteria that originates from a single bacterium. These colonies can be seen on solid growth media, such as agar plates, where bacteria multiply through a process called binary fission. Each colony typically appears as a distinct spot, with variations in color, shape, and size depending on the bacterial species and growth conditions. Bacterial colonies are important in microbiology for studying the characteristics of different bacteria. They help scientists identify specific strains and understand their behavior, which is crucial for fields like medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. Techniques such as streak plating are often used to isolate and analyze these colonies.