Bacterial growth refers to the increase in the number of bacteria in a population over time. This process typically occurs through a method called binary fission, where a single bacterium divides into two identical daughter cells. Factors such as temperature, pH, and nutrient availability significantly influence the rate of growth. Bacteria grow in distinct phases: lag, log, stationary, and death. During the lag phase, bacteria adapt to their environment. In the log phase, they multiply rapidly. The stationary phase occurs when resources become limited, and growth slows. Finally, in the death phase, the number of viable bacteria decreases due to depletion of nutrients and accumulation of waste.